Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What do kingfishers eat besides fish?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Coraciiform
Yellow-billed hornbill (Tockus leucomelas).
While many kingfishers are well-known for their ability to dive for fish, their diets are quite varied depending on the species and habitat. Beyond fish, many kingfishers consume a wide range of other prey, including:
- Invertebrates: Many species feed on insects, crustaceans, and snails. Some, such as certain African kingfishers, specifically hunt termites.12
- Vertebrates: Kingfishers frequently prey on amphibians, reptiles, and even small birds.1
The kookaburra, a forest-dwelling kingfisher, is a notable example of a species that hunts primarily on the ground, capturing insects, snails, frogs, reptiles, and small birds rather than diving for fish.1