Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Hook-billed Kingfisher

Melidora macrorrhina

The Hook-billed Kingfisher, Melidora macrorrhina, stands out as a large, somewhat stocky kingfisher, measuring 27 cm in length and tipping the scales between 85 to 110 grams. Its most distinctive feature is the long, white stripe gracing the area below its eyes, contrasting with its predominantly white underparts. The feet of this bird are a subtle dull yellow, complementing its overall plumage.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Hook-billed Kingfisher, look for its significant white eye-stripe and white underparts. Its large size and dumpy stature are also key characteristics that distinguish it from other kingfishers.

Habitat

This species is a denizen of the lowland forested regions of New Guinea and some neighboring islands, where it finds the dense canopy to its liking.

Distribution

The Hook-billed Kingfisher is a resident bird of New Guinea, with its presence also recorded on nearby islands such as Waigeo, Misool, Batanta, and Yapen.

Behaviour

The Hook-billed Kingfisher is known to be a nocturnal caller, with its vocalizations primarily heard during the night.

Song & Calls

Its vocal repertoire includes a long whistle that precedes a series of higher-pitched short notes, adding a mysterious soundtrack to the night-time forests.

Breeding

In an intriguing display of avian architecture, the Hook-billed Kingfisher excavates its nest within the living quarters of arboreal termites, choosing nests 3 to 6 meters above the ground. The clutch consists of two white eggs, which are incubated by both parents, though not simultaneously.

Feeding

This kingfisher has a taste for insects and frogs, and it has been observed employing a foraging technique akin to that of the Shovel-billed Kookaburra, digging into the soil in pursuit of its prey.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List currently categorizes the Hook-billed Kingfisher as Least Concern, indicating that, for now, this species does not face immediate threats to its survival.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

More Kingfishers

A photo of a Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) , male

Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Paul F
Very good database
Highly recommend. It great that this app shows you male Vs female variations when posting. Very good database I'm really impressed.
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Emcil24
A Friendly Place
I love using the bird app, I have a pretty good knowledge of birds. But I do have some gaps in it, so it’s nice to have a safe space to check on a sighting to confirm the species. It’s really enjoyable and I love the badges you can collect. It’s like a real life Pokémon go.
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
Chudbond
Love Birda
I love this app. It really encourages you to log your sightings and the community is friendly and helpful.
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Robred 2
Fun way to add to your birdwatching experience
I enjoy watching birds in my backyard, but this app helped me really pay attention while on vacation this summer. It was fun to add new birds to my bird watching app.
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
Alex J
Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.