Kingfishers are famous for their bright colours. Their feathers come in many shades, often with blue on their backs and reddish or white on their bellies. Some have a tuft of feathers on their heads.
There are about 90 species of kingfishers worldwide, primarily found in warm regions near rivers or lakes.
They usually measure between 4 and 18 inches (10 to 46 centimetres) long. Their dagger-like bill is ideal for catching fish and insects.
Kingfishers dive into water to catch fish and also hunt on land for lizards and insects. They are known to chase and engage in aerial confrontations with each other.
Kingfishers are usually solitary but pair up during mating season to build nests in tree hollows or earth banks. After the eggs hatch, both parents care for the young until they're old enough to fend for themselves. Kingfishers can live up to 20 years.