While kingfishers are usually thought to live near rivers and eat fish, many species live away from water and eat small invertebrates. Like other members of their order, they nest in cavities, usually tunnels dug into the natural or artificial banks in the ground. Some kingfishers nest in arboreal termite nests.

Do kingfishers nest in trees?

Kingfishers do not build a nest, as is common among most species of birds. Instead, they nest inside a tunnel, which is typically around 30-90cm in length, located next to a river bank of slow-moving water, and contains no other materials i.e. there is no lining for the tunnel.

What time of year do kingfishers nest?

Kingfishers breed in their first year, and pair-formation usually starts in February. If the male and the female have neighbouring territories, these may merge for the breeding season. Both birds excavate the nest burrow into the stone-free sandy soil of a low stream bank, usually about 0.5m from the top.