Kingfisher breeding cave

Wall-cutting for the “flying gem”

"Flying gem" is the nickname of this small bird.

(Bild: Bernhard Huber)

Every year, the iridescent kingfisher is actively supported in Upper Carinthia with the necessary wall-cutting.

They live for the bird world and are always on duty for Carinthia's little birds all year round: BirdLife members Gabi and Bernhard Huber, Ulrich Mößlacher and Horst Zwischenberger also look after the beautiful kingfisher.

Protection against predators
There are four to five breeding pairs in Upper Carinthia and ten to 15 are thought to breed in Lower Carinthia. And to ensure that the colourful bird finds optimal breeding conditions along the Drau, the four BirdLife members were out and about again, professionally optimizing suitable walls with the kingfisher wall cutting.

This is because the cavity-nesting bird depends on vertical walls close to the water. Sloping walls offer predators such as foxes, martens, weasels and rats the opportunity to reach the walls to the breeding cavity. The breeding burrows are built in the clay or earth walls from March and reach a depth of around 50 centimetres.

Gabi and Bernhard Huber with Ulrich Mößlacher (left), who ensure optimal breeding conditions for the beautifully iridescent kingfisher every year.

(Bild: Bernhard Huber)

To be protected from predators, the kingfisher needs vertical clay and earth walls close to the water for its breeding den.

(Bild: Bernhard Huber)

Danger from flooding
Care should also be taken to prevent flooding as far as possible. "This is why human support for the kingfisher is so important," emphasizes Horst Zwischenberger. Because the kingfisher is not exactly having an easy time of it due to climate change. Floods caused by heavy rainfall or cold, wet weather during the breeding season endanger the "flying gem", as the small bird is often called.

The kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) was Austria's bird of the year in 2009 and requires very specific habitat conditions. Standing or slowly flowing waters provide the ideal environment. The food spectrum of the stalking hunter ranges from insects and tadpoles to small fish.