Blue-eared Kingfisher vs Half-collared Kingfisher

Blue-eared Kingfisher

Alcedo meninting

Small20 gRiverine

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.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Paulo Philippidis from San Jose California, USA · CC BY 2.0

Half-collared Kingfisher

Alcedo semitorquata

Small47 gWetland

The half-collared kingfisher is a medium-sized kingfisher. It is around 18 cm (7.1 in) in length with a weight of 35–40 g (1.2–1.4 oz). It has blue upperparts, a white throat and pale orange underparts. The head has alternating light blue and dark blue bands running across the crown and each side of the neck has a creamy white stripe. The dark blue patches on either side of the neck form a half collar. The legs and feet are red. The sexes are very similar but the bill of the male is entirely black while the female has some red at the base of the lower mandible.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Henry de Lange · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Blue-eared Kingfisher and Half-collared Kingfisher.