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Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Alcedo atthis
Eurasian kingfisher. Greek: αλκυόνη. Gadouras river-mouth lagoon, September 2004.
Passage migrant/winter visitor, widely distributed in small numbers. Length 14-17 cm, wingspan 22-27 cm. Sexes similar. Rocky seashores, river mouths, riverbed pools, ponds, reservoirs. Feeds mainly on fish. Hawks prey from low perches or from short hover over water. Defends aggressively foraging territory. Whirring straight flight low over water.
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