The Kingfisher were a common fish-eating bird in Middle-earth. They were bright blue with a broad beak and yellow breast. Kingfishers were originally called the King's fisher, as they, like swans, were royal animals. Several Eldarin words for the bird are known as well: in Quenya, it was called halatir, from the roots skal and tir, meaning 'fishwatcher'. Noldorin had a similar word: heledirn.