Subfamily Alcedininae Scientific name Alcedo meninting Phylum Chordata | Family Alcedinidae Genus Alcedo Rank Species Higher classification Alcedo | |
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Similar Kingfisher, Bird, Alcedo, Stork‑billed kingfisher, Oriental dwarf kingfisher | ||
Blue eared kingfisher juvenile male
The blue-eared kingfisher (Alcedo meninting) is found in Asia, ranging across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is found mainly in dense shaded forests where it hunts in small streams. It is darker crowned, with darker rufous underparts and lacking the rufous ear stripe of the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) which is found in more open habitats. A number of subspecies have been described that differ in measurement and colour shade. Adult males have an all dark bill while females have a reddish lower mandible.
Contents
- Blue eared kingfisher juvenile male
- Meninting ijsvogel blue eared kingfisher in kalasin thailand
- Description
- Taxonomy
- Distribution and habitat
- Behaviour and ecology
- References
Meninting ijsvogel blue eared kingfisher in kalasin thailand
Description
This 16 centimetres (6.3 in) long kingfisher is almost identical to the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) but is distinguished by the blue ear coverts, darker and more intense cobalt-blue upperparts with richer rufous under parts. The juvenile blue-eared kingfisher has rufous ear-coverts as in the common kingfisher but it usually shows some mottling on the throat and upper breast which disappears when the bird reaches adulthood. Young birds have a reddish bill with whitish tips.
Taxonomy
Several plumage variations in the population that occur across its wide distribution range have been recognized as subspecies. These include:
Some other subspecies callima, subviridis and proxima are not considered to be distinct enough.
Distribution and habitat
The range of this species stretches from India in the west, eastwards across Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, and further into Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia. The usual habitat is pools or streams in dense evergreen forest and sometimes mangroves, situated under 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) of altitude.
Behaviour and ecology
The blue-eared kingfisher is largely resident within its range. They usually perch on branches overhanging densely shaded streams before diving below to capture prey that includes crustaceans, dragonfly larvae and fish. Other insects including grasshoppers and mantids have been recorded.
The breeding season in India is mainly May to June in northern India and January in southwestern India. The nest is a metre long tunnel in the bank of a forest stream where about five to seven white near spherical eggs are laid.