The Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis is an uncommon passage
migrant arriving in August and September and winter visitor to all coasts of
the Kingdom, leaving in March or April. Inland birds have been seen regularly
in Tabuk and Riyadh as well as at Harrat
al Harrah Reserve but are generally absent elsewhere. Birds are relatively
common at Sabkhat Al Fasl where these phots were taken and I have trapped and
ringed twenty different birds in two winters ringing there. In the hand they
are extremely gentle birds and if you sit them on their backs on your pen palm
they will stay there ans not fly off. Interestingly most birds are females with
only four males caught and the bird photographed by Mohammed is also a female.
I thank him for sending me his excellent photos and for allowing me to use them
on my website.
