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An electric-blue-and-orange river jewel that dives headlong for fish.

How to spot it

A small, dumpy bird about 16 cm with a large head and a long dagger bill. It is dazzling blue-green above and warm orange below — most often seen as a low, whirring blue streak over the water.

Where it lives

Along slow rivers, canals, lakes and streams across Europe, Asia and North Africa, wherever there is clear water and a perch to fish from.

What it eats

Small fish and aquatic insects, taken by plunge-diving from a perch or a brief hover, then beaten against the branch before being swallowed head-first.

Song & behaviour

A shrill, high "zeee" whistle given in fast, low flight. It is territorial along a stretch of bank and sits still for long spells watching the water.

Nesting

The pair dig a tunnel up to a metre long into a bare earth bank and lay their eggs in a chamber at the end.

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