The feathers of the kingfisher are colorful, and people often squat by the lake to watch the kingfisher with a camera. What kind of bird is it that has attracted so much attention?

The next step is to introduce it.

Kingfishers are medium-sized water birds. Blue-black from the forehead to the neck, densely mixed with emerald blue horizontal spots, the back is emerald blue, and the abdomen is chestnut brown.

The top of the head has light-colored horizontal spots; the mouth and feet are reddish red. From a distance, it looks like a woodpecker. Because the feathers on the back and face are emerald blue, they are commonly known as kingfishers.

Kingfisher food is mainly fish but also eats crustaceans and various aquatic insects. There are 15 species and 48 subspecies.

There are 3 species in China: the spotted-headed kingfisher, the blue-eared kingfisher, and the common kingfisher. The last one is common and widely distributed.

No matter how widely it is distributed, it still has a desirable habitat.

They inhabit waters such as shrubs or sparse forests, clear and slow-flowing rivers, streams, lakes, and irrigation canals. They are lonely and usually live alone on branches or rocks near the water.

The food is mainly small fish and also eats crustaceans, various aquatic insects and their larvae, as well as small frogs and a small number of aquatic plants.

In addition, its fishing skills are very strong. The kingfisher maintains excellent eyesight after diving into the water. Because after its eyes enter the water, it can quickly adjust the viewing angle contrast caused by the light in the water.

However, some species of such beautiful birds are second-class protected animals in the country.

Among the kingfishers, blue-eared kingfisher and stork-billed kingfisher are included in the list of national second-class protected animals. So what characteristics do they have?

The upper body is metallic light blue-green, the body feathers are gorgeous and shiny, and the top of the head is covered with dark blue-green and bright emerald-blue fine spots.

The eyes and the back of the ears and the side of the neck are white, the back of the body is grayish blue, the shoulders and wings are dark greenish blue, and the wings are mixed with blue spots.

The throat is white, with a distinct chestnut brown below the chest. The side of the neck has white spots, the underparts are orange-brown, and the chin is white.

The orange-yellow band running across the eyes and ear feathers is the identification feature of this species that distinguishes it from the blue-eared kingfisher and the bar-headed kingfisher.

Since it is such a rare and beautiful bird, it must have a unique symbolic meaning.

Representing peace and prosperity, the kingfisher is a symbol of a fertile harvest and good luck. Moreover, the kingfisher symbolizes happiness and good luck.

Therefore, Chinese-style home often has a pattern of kingfisher and lotus together, because the kingfisher and lotus have a unique status. The lotus symbolizes the pure friendship between people, and the kingfisher means good luck.