About the Forest Kingfisher
The forest kingfisher, also known as Macleay's or the blue kingfisher, is a species of kingfisher in the subfamily Halcyoninae, also known as tree kingfishers. It is a predominantly a blue and white bird. It is found in Indonesia, New Guinea and coastal eastern and Northern Australia. Like many other kingfishers, it hunts invertebrates, small frogs, and lizards.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The forest kingfisher measures 21.5–25.5 cm (8.5–10.0 in) in length and the male weighs 32–43 g (1.1–1.5 oz) while the female weighs 29–44 g (1.0–1.6 oz). It has blue wings, head and tail with white breast, abdomen and nape. It has a white patch in front of the eyes and a black band stretching from the bill, through the eyes to the ear coverts. A white patch is visible on the wings in flight. The female is distinguished by a blue rather than white nape. The iris is dark brown and the legs and feet dark grey. Immature birds are duller with a blackish crown.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Forest Kingfisher lives
When to see the Forest Kingfisher
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Collared KingfisherTodiramphus chlorisThe collared kingfisher is 23 to 25 cm (9.1 to 9.8 in) long and the male weighs 51 to 90 g (1.8 to 3.2 oz), while the female weighs 54–100 g (1.9–3.5 oz).
Red-backed KingfisherTodiramphus pyrrhopygiusThe red-backed kingfisher measures 20 to 24 cm (7.9 to 9.4 in); the male weighs 45–70 g (1.6–2.5 oz) and the female 41–62 g (1.4–2.2 oz).
Torresian KingfisherTodiramphus sordidusThe Torresian kingfisher is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae.
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