Blue-eared Kingfisher
Alcedo meninting
蓝耳翠鸟
Introduction
This forest kingfisher occurs across South and Southeast Asia. It inhabits dense, shaded streams and pools within evergreen forests. It occurs near mountain streams up to 1,000 metres elevation. The species is largely resident throughout its range, though some local movements may occur in response to water levels and prey availability.
Description
A small kingfisher measuring 16 centimetres in length, this species is remarkably similar to the common kingfisher in overall form. The plumage is distinguished by intensely cobalt-blue upperparts that appear darker and more vibrant than the common kingfisher. The underparts display richer, deeper rufous coloration. True to its name, it shows prominent blue ear coverts. The bill varies by sex: adult males possess an entirely dark bill, while females show a reddish lower mandible. Juveniles resemble the common kingfisher with rufous ear-coverts but can be distinguished by mottling on the throat and upper breast, which fades as the bird matures. Young birds also display reddish bills with whitish tips.
Identification
Separating this species from the common kingfisher requires careful attention to several key features. The most reliable field mark is the blue ear coverts, which contrast with the rufous ear stripe of the common kingfisher. This species appears overall darker above with more intense cobalt coloring and shows deeper, more rufous underparts. The crown is darker, and the bird lacks the rufous ear stripe entirely. Juveniles can be identified by the mottled throat and upper breast, a feature absent in young common kingfishers. The species also tends to be found in denser, more shaded forest streams rather than the open habitats preferred by its look-alike.
Distribution & Habitat
This species occupies a broad range across South and Southeast Asia, extending from India westward through Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, then eastward into Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Several subspecies have been described that vary slightly in coloration and measurements across different parts of this range, including populations in the Andaman Islands, the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, the Philippines, and various Indonesian islands. The preferred habitat consists of pools and streams within dense evergreen forest, sometimes including mangrove areas, typically below 1,000 metres elevation.
Behavior & Ecology
This kingfisher is predominantly resident within its range, maintaining territories along forest streams throughout the year. It hunts by perching on low branches overhanging densely shaded water before diving to capture prey below the surface. The diet includes crustaceans, dragonfly larvae, and fish, with additional records of grasshoppers and mantids. Breeding seasons vary by region: in northern India, nesting occurs mainly from May to June, while in southwestern India, it takes place in January. The nest consists of a one-metre-long tunnel excavated into the bank of a forest stream, where five to seven white, nearly spherical eggs are laid.
Conservation
The species is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that it does not face immediate threats of extinction. However, like many forest-dependent species, it faces potential pressures from habitat loss and degradation as evergreen forests are cleared for agriculture or development. The species' reliance on shaded forest streams makes it vulnerable to logging and water pollution that could affect its prey base and breeding habitats.
Culture
No specific cultural significance or folklore has been documented for this species in the available sources.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- Genus
- Alcedo
- eBird Code
- blekin1
Vocalizations
Subspecies (5)
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Alcedo meninting coltarti
eastern India (northern Eastern Ghats) and base of Himalayas from central Nepal to northeastern India (Assam) eastward to Myanmar, Thailand, and Indochina
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Alcedo meninting meninting
southern Malayan Peninsula, Greater Sundas to Lombok, southwestern Sulawesi, Sula Islands, and southern Philippines
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Alcedo meninting phillipsi
southwestern India (Kerala) and Sri Lanka
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Alcedo meninting rufigastra
Andaman Islands
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Alcedo meninting scintillans
peninsular Myanmar and peninsular Thailand
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.