Blyth's Kingfisher
Alcedo hercules
斑头大翠鸟
Introduction
This kingfisher is the largest species in its genus. It occurs throughout South and Southeast Asia, inhabiting small, clear streams surrounded by evergreen forest at elevations between 200 and 1,200 meters, most frequently between 400 and 1,000 meters. The species breeds from March to June, constructing nests in tunnels dug into stream banks. It has cobalt-blue upperparts, deep rufous underparts, a heavy black bill, and a distinctive blackish-blue breast patch. The bird typically remains concealed among riverside vegetation. Its loud, coarse "pseet" call may sometimes be heard emanating from dense cover along forest streams.
Description
The largest member of its genus, this kingfisher measures 22-23 cm in length. Males display black feathering on the head with bright blue tips, a whitish-buff neck patch and chin, and deep rufous underparts marked by a distinctive blackish-blue breast patch. The legs and feet are red. The bill is entirely black on males, while females have a red base to the lower mandible. The iris is reddish-brown and the lores are black with a buff streak above. The mantle through tail coverts shows brilliant cobalt-blue or azure plumage, often appearing brownish-black when at rest, with a purplish tinge toward the rump. The tail is dark ultramarine blue. Wings and scapulars are dark greenish-black with cobalt-blue speckles and tips on the coverts. Females are similar but with slightly longer wings on average.
Identification
Distinguished from the similar blue-eared kingfisher by its substantially larger size, heavier entirely black bill, and less brilliant crown and wings with distinctive blue speckles on the crown and wing coverts. The dark ear coverts separate it from the common kingfisher, which has rufous ear-coverts. The combination of great size, heavy black bill, and dark lores with a buff streak above provides reliable field identification. The loud, harsh "pseet" call is less shrill but louder and more hoarse than that of the common kingfisher, though it can be confused with certain calls of the slaty-backed forktail.
Distribution & Habitat
The species ranges from Nepal through India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. It inhabits small rivers and waterways in evergreen forest, deep ravines, and hilly regions, occasionally found near streams adjacent to well-wooded farmland. Elevational range is primarily 400-1,000 meters, extending from 200 to 1,200 meters above sea level. In China, it occurs in Mengyang Nature Reserve in Yunnan, and Nonggang and Diding Nature Reserves in Guangxi, as well as Hainan. In Vietnam, it is found in Annam and western Tonkin, where it is fairly common. It may be locally common in northern Laos and the Annamite mountains. The species is presumed to be non-migratory.
Behavior & Ecology
Breeding occurs chiefly between April and May, extending from March to June. Nests are constructed at the end of tunnels dug into muddy stream or ravine banks, with the tunnel extending straight then rising before descending to a chamber 15-20 cm wide and 10-13 cm high. Tunnel width is about 8 cm, with length varying from 45-60 cm in hard soil to 2 m in sandy soil. Four to six eggs are laid, incubated by both parents, which sit very tight on the nest. The diet consists of fish and insects caught by diving from shrubs overhanging water, unlike other kingfishers in the genus which dive from exposed perches. The species is shy and secretive.
Conservation
The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies this species as "near threatened," having previously listed it as vulnerable. Global population numbers remain unquantified, though fewer than 100 breeding pairs are estimated in China. Density is low across its range even within favorable habitat. The primary threats include habitat degradation and fragmentation from human activities, water pollution in river systems, and anthropogenic disturbance such as deforestation. No specific conservation actions are currently known to be in place. Due to ongoing habitat loss and disturbance, the population is thought to be in slow decline.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- Genus
- Alcedo
- eBird Code
- blykin1
Distribution
Sikkim to southwestern China, Myanmar, northern Laos, northern Vietnam, and Hainan
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.