About the Blue-eared Kingfisher
The blue-eared kingfisher 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 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.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Blue-eared Kingfisher lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Sri Lanka.
When to see the Blue-eared Kingfisher
Peak activity in March · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Half-collared KingfisherAlcedo semitorquataThe half-collared kingfisher is a medium-sized kingfisher.
Cerulean KingfisherAlcedo coerulescensThe cerulean kingfisher is a small kingfisher with a length of 13 cm (5.1 in).
Shining-blue KingfisherAlcedo quadribrachysThe shining-blue kingfisher is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae.
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