Blyth's Kingfisher
Alcedo hercules
The Blyth's Kingfisher (Alcedo hercules) is a legendary kingfisher found in 6 countries, weighing about 28 g. Blyth's kingfisher is the largest kingfisher in the genus Alcedo.
About the Blyth's Kingfisher
Blyth's kingfisher is the largest kingfisher in the genus Alcedo. Named for Edward Blyth, the species has also been known as Alcedo grandis and as the great blue kingfisher. Between 22 and 23 cm long, the kingfisher has deep rufous underparts with a blackish blue breast patch, and brilliant cobalt blue or azure upperparts, tinged with purple. The wings are a dark blackish green, with blue speckles and tips to some of the feathers. The bill of the male is entirely black, while the female has a dark red lower mandible. The species is distinguished from the similar blue-eared kingfisher and common kingfisher by its greater size, heavy black bill, and dark lores.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Blyth's kingfisher is between 22 and 23 cm (8+5⁄8 and 9 in) in length, making it the largest of the Alcedo kingfishers. The wing of the male is between 9.6 and 10.2 cm (3+3⁄4 and 4 in) long, and that of the female between 9.5 and 10.3 cm (3+3⁄4 and 4 in). On the male, the feathering on the head is black, with shiny tips of bright blue. It has a neck patch that is whitish or buff in colour, as is the chin. The breast and belly are rufous, except for a dark blackish-blue patch on the breast. The legs and feet of the bird are also red.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December, with peak activity in February. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Blyth's Kingfisher?
- Blyth's kingfisher is between 22 and 23 cm (8+5⁄8 and 9 in) in length, making it the largest of the Alcedo kingfishers. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Blyth's Kingfisher?
- The Blyth's Kingfisher is a small sized bird weighing about 28 g.
- Where can you see a Blyth's Kingfisher?
- The Blyth's Kingfisher occurs in 6 countries, including India, China, Laos, Bhutan and Vietnam.
- What birds look similar to a Blyth's Kingfisher?
- The Blyth's Kingfisher is most easily confused with the Javan Blue-banded Kingfisher, the Shining-blue Kingfisher and the Cerulean Kingfisher.
- Is the Blyth's Kingfisher endangered?
- The Blyth's Kingfisher is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Blyth's Kingfisher for real
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