Common Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis, is a species of kingfisher found in river and lake ecosystems. It is a widespread breeder across much of Europe. This species prefers still or gently flowing water with plenty of small fish, and with reeds, rushes or shrubs on the banks for perches. Streams, small rivers, canals and ditches are favoured to open waterbodies, but it also uses lakes, ponds and flooded gravel pits. In winter it becomes more coastal, also using estuaries, harbours and rocky seashores (European Red List 2015).

Alcedo atthis has a breeding population size of 68200-115000 pairs and a breeding range size of 2640000 square kilometres in the EU27. The breeding population trend in the EU27 is Decreasing in the short term and Uncertain in the long term.

The EU population status of Alcedo atthis was assessed as Threatened, as the species meets one or more of the IUCN Red List criteria for threatened at the EU27 scale.