Rare Kingfisher Spotted in St. Petersburg
Photos of a kingfisher taken in St. Petersburg appeared on January 26. The birds were spotted in two districts of the city, which is a rare event as the species is listed in the local Red Book.
Kingfishers are migratory birds that traditionally spend the cold season in North Africa. However, in recent years, due to mild winters, individual birds are increasingly staying in St. Petersburg.
The bird«s bright coloration seems exotic for northern latitudes. Photographers managed to capture moments of hunting: kingfishers feed mainly on fish, as well as aquatic crustaceans, insect larvae, and tadpoles.
Pavel Glazkov notes:
“Through St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region passes the northern boundary of this species« range. The bird»s coloration would be more suited to an inhabitant of a tropical forest, yet the kingfisher is a resident of our northern latitudes. It is slightly larger than a sparrow, with a large head and a big beak.”
The bright blue color of the kingfisher«s plumage is an optical illusion. The bird»s feathers are actually brown, and the sky-blue shade arises from special light refraction, as blue pigment does not exist in birds« plumage.
The name «kingfisher» is not related to raising chicks in winter. These birds breed in spring and summer, digging burrows in steep river banks, so the chicks appear literally in the ground.
Observations of kingfishers in St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region are recorded regularly. The birds were seen this winter, as well as in previous years. In the region, they inhabit several districts, and some individuals remain for the cold season.
