Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

 


Photo: unknown

Greek Name: ho halkyôn [Latin: alcedo, German: Eisvogel].
Description:

 L 16-17 cm, wingspan 24-26 cm.
Habitat:

 Breeds almost everywhere in Europe close to water, preferably gently flowing freshwater streams, small rivers, or ditches with steep shores, ample fish supply and potential look-out perches.

Behaviour:



  

Ancient Associations:

In ancient Greek literature, the halcyon is a fantastical bird, like the phoenix, but it was early on identified with the kingfisher.
Sources:

B. Bruun/ H. Delin/L. Svenson, Der Kosmos Vogelführer: Die Vögel Deutschlands und Europas, 10th ed. Stuttgart: Franck-Kosmos, 1993, p. 182.
S. Cramp et al., The Birds of the western Palearctic, vol. iv (2nd. ed., Oxford 1989), 711-22.
John Pollard, Birds in Greek Life and Myth, London 1977, .
D'Arcy W. Thompson, A Glossary of Greek Birds, London 1936 (repr. Hildesheim, 1966), pp. 46-51.

 

 

This site was created April 5, 2006.
For comments or suggestions, please mail Ortwin Knorr.