But kingfishers are native and widespread — even if catching a glimpse of them is rare for most of us. When light falls upon the kingfishers’ blue feathers, blue wavelengths are scattered more than other wavelengths, giving an ‘electric’ hue to the blues — a phenomenon known as the Tyndall effect. As master waterside hunters, kingfishers pluck fish from flowing water with precision and phenomenal speed. As master waterside hunters, kingfishers pluck fish from flowing water with precision and phenomenal speed. Come spring and summer, kingfisher parents feeding hungry broods need clear water to see the fish they’re aiming for.

Source: Irish Examiner January 14, 2026 10:31 UTC