Bird Guide

Biak Paradise Kingfisher

Tanysiptera riedelii

Near ThreatenedEndemicInvertebratesForestCavity nestMedium · 65 g

About the Biak Paradise Kingfisher

The Biak paradise kingfisher is a tree kingfisher that is endemic to the Indonesian island of Biak which is one of a small group of islands located in Cenderawasih Bay near the northern coast of Papua. This bird has a turquoise-blue back with a white belly and tail streamers and a reddish beak. Its natural habitat is forests and the IUCN has assessed its conservation status as being "near-threatened".

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The adult Biak paradise kingfisher is about 14 in (36 cm) including its long tail. The crown, nape and sides of the head as well as the upper parts are a bright glossy turquoise-blue. The rump and the basal parts of the rectrices are white and the underwings are black. The two central tail feathers are greatly elongated and have bare shafts which flare out at the tip into racket-like lobes. The bird's underparts are white and the long, stout bill is red.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where the Biak Paradise Kingfisher lives

Regular range

When to see the Biak Paradise Kingfisher

Peak activity in July · a winter visitor species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Learn the Biak Paradise Kingfisher in BeakBrain

Photo and call practice, free in any browser.

Play BeakBrain

Every photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.