The family Alcedinidae, belonging to the order Coraciiformes, comprises the true kingfishers, a group of small to medium-sized, brightly colored birds found worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. Members of this family are characterized by their large heads, long, pointed bills, and short legs, adaptations that make them skilled hunters of fish and aquatic invertebrates, though some species also feed on insects and small vertebrates. Kingfishers typically nest in burrows dug into riverbanks or sandy soil, and many are known for their striking plumage and distinctive calls. They occupy a variety of habitats, including rivers, lakes, wetlands, and forest edges, and play an important ecological role as predators that help maintain healthy aquatic and riparian ecosystems.