General Information

The Azure Kingfishers are specialists at exclusively deep diving into water to obtain their prey.

Physical Description

Alcedo azurea is a small kingfisher (17-19 cm), in the river kingfisher family. It is a very colorful bird, with deep blue to azure back, a large white to buff spot on side of neck and throat, rufous-buff with some blue-violet streaks on breast and flanks. The feet are red with only two forward toes. The lores are white and inconspicuous except in front view, where they stand out as two large white eye-like spots.

Diet

Feeds on yabbies and small fish.

Habitat

It is found in Northern and Eastern Australia and Tasmania, as well as the lowlands of New Guinea and neighboring islands, and out to North Maluku and Romang. Habitat includes the banks of vegetated creeks, lakes, swamps, tidal estuaries and mangroves. It is difficult to see until it quickly darts from a perch above water.

Reproduction

The Azure Kingfisher nests in a chamber up to 1 meter long in an earthen creek bank. It lays 5-7 white, rounded, glossy eggs.