Azure kingfisher

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Azure kingfisher (Ceyx azureus)

The azure kingfisher is a small, very colorful bird found in northern and eastern Australia, including Tasmania, and in New Guinea and nearby islands. It is about 17–19 cm long and weighs around 29–35 g (males slightly lighter than females).

Appearance
- Bright blue back
- Large white to buff patch on the side of the neck and throat
- Rusty-buff chest with blue-violet streaks on the lower breast and flanks
- Red feet
- White lores with two large white eye-like spots visible from the front
- Several subspecies exist, with only small differences in size or color

Distribution and habitat
- Lives along vegetated creek banks, lakes, swamps, tidal estuaries, and mangroves
- Common in northern parts of its range, less common in the south
- Usually stays in its area, though some seasonal movement can occur

Diet
- Small fish, crustaceans (shrimp, amphipods, yabbies), water beetles, spiders, locusts, and small frogs or tadpoles
- Often darts from a perch to catch prey

Breeding
- Breeding season: September–April (northern Australia) and August–February (southern Australia); sometimes two broods
- Nest: a 1-meter burrow in an earthen creek bank with a chamber at the end
- Clutch: 4–6 white, glossy eggs (about 22 × 19 mm)
- Both parents incubate for 20–22 days and feed the young for 3–5 weeks
- Nests can be destroyed by floods; eggs may be eaten by brown snakes

Vocalization
- Usually quiet, but produces a sharp, squeaky “pseet-pseet” call during breeding

Conservation
- The population is slowly decreasing, but the species has a wide range and is classified as Least Concern.