Where do kingfishers roost?

[FUDGEY]

Just curious to know if anyone knows where they sleep. An old nest, thick bush or reeds or somewhere else, anyone witnessed this?

[Stinky Bob]

I always thought that they burrowed into the sides of banks - I am sure thats what my ladybird book said

[FUDGEY]

Can you eloberate Bob? Do they roost in a designated sleeping chamber they have made solely for the purpose or will they use an old nest site?

[Stinky Bob]

Cannot really find much information about their roosting habits, My ladybird book is wrong I reckon as they seem to only use the burrow for nesting. This Totally hooked on kingfishers: One man's love affair with a very special bird | Mail Online is a very interesting article (and some great shots), the December paragraph mentions that the female roosts in the same bush every night.

PS The best film that I have ever seen about kingfishers (and Otters) was made by the author of the above link, the film is called My Halcyon River by Charlie Hamilton James and if you haven't seen it - you will be blown away

[ron1863]

Found this information:

At night, most kingfishers roost alone on a perch within their territory. During incubation, females may roost in the incubation chamber.

[JeffH]

I can confirm that Kingfishers do not roost in their nestholes outside of the breeding season - it's a common misconception that birds sleep in their nests all year round!
Whilst raising young it's usually the female Kingfisher that stays in the nesthole overnight with the male roosting in a tree or bush nearby - usually tucked in quite low and near the main trunk.
Whilst some birds may use the same roosting perch/bush every night - at least for a limited period - my own experience is that they tend to move around between several favoured spots within their territory.

Jeff

[FUDGEY]

Thanks Jeff, I thought you'd know