(Part of the) common name of all species of the family Alcedinidae (order Coraciiformes), except the few known as 'kookaburras', and in the plural the general term for the family (over 80 species). Applied without further qualification to Alcedo atthis. The family is rather homogeneous, but is nevertheless divided into three subfamilies: Alcedininae (includes the Kingfisher and is distributed over all but most northerly parts of the Palaearctic Region and through the Oriental Region), Cerylinae and Daceloninae ('tree kingfishers'). Kingfishers are 10-46 cm long and have compact bodies with short necks and large heads. The bill is straight, rather long and notably massive, and often ending in a sharp point. The wings tend to be short and rounded. They have short legs with syndactyl toes; the 3rd and 4th being largely united and the 2nd and 3rd united at their bases. The plumage is commonly of bright colours and metallic brilliance, and sexes are often alike. Also the bill and feet are often brightly coloured, especially red. Kingfishers have a direct and rapid flight and on the ground they hop. Many kingfishers are mainly piscivorous (fish-eaters), catching their prey by plunging headlong into the water, usually from a perch. They don't have aquatic habits otherwise. However, many other species do not fish (and live far from water), but live largely on insects and small other invertebrates or even small vertebrates. The Cerylinae are fishing species, the Daceloninae mainly not, while the Alcedininae are divided. Kingfishers are hole-nesters and have nidicolous young. The family is cosmopolitan, but is absent from high latitudes and remote islands and most species belong to the tropical parts of the Old World (only the Cerylinae are represented in the New World). The Kingfisher Alcedo atthis is the only species widespread in the Palaearctic and found in Europe.

Alternative form for kingfishers : kingfisher.