Forest Kingfisher

The Forest Kingfisher, known scientifically as Todiramphus macleayii and colloquially as Macleay's or the Blue Kingfisher, is a striking bird adorned in a vivid blue and white plumage. This species is a member of the Halcyoninae subfamily, often referred to as tree kingfishers.

Identification Tips

Adult Forest Kingfishers measure between 21.5 and 25.5 cm in length. Males typically weigh between 32 and 43 grams, while females range from 29 to 44 grams. Their wings, head, and tail are cloaked in blue, contrasting with their white breast, abdomen, and nape. A distinctive white patch sits before their eyes, and a black band extends from the bill, through the eyes, to the ear coverts. In flight, a white patch on the wings becomes visible. Females can be identified by their blue nape, as opposed to the white nape seen in males. The iris is dark brown, and the legs and feet are a dark grey. Juveniles present a more subdued coloration with a blackish crown.

Habitat

The Forest Kingfisher inhabits a variety of forested environments, including subtropical or tropical dry forests, moist lowland forests, mangrove forests, and Melaleuca swamplands.

Distribution

This species is native to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Australia. In Australia, it is found from Port Stephens in New South Wales, northwards to Cape York, and across the Top End. It is a summer visitor in the southern parts of its range and a year-round resident elsewhere.

Behaviour

The Forest Kingfisher is known for its hunting technique, which involves observing from a high perch before diving to the ground or water to seize prey, then returning directly to the perch. Prey is often subdued by being hit against a branch.

Song & Calls

The call of the Forest Kingfisher is a shrill "t-reek," which is typically repeated, especially in the early morning hours.

Breeding

The breeding season occurs from August to February in Australia, with the possibility of two broods being raised. Nests are burrowed into arboreal termite nests, situated 4 to 12 meters above the ground. Clutches usually consist of 3 to 6 white, shiny eggs. Both parents, and sometimes helpers, incubate the eggs for 18 to 21 days. Fledglings remain in the nest for 27 to 31 days and are fed for about a month post-fledging.

Similar Species

The Forest Kingfisher can be distinguished from similar species by its unique coloration and habitat preferences.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Forest Kingfisher includes a variety of invertebrates such as bugs, beetles, grasshoppers, spiders, dragonflies, cicadas, ants, and butterfly larvae. It also consumes small fish, frogs and tadpoles, lizards, and snakes.

Conservation Status

Despite a decreasing population trend, the Forest Kingfisher is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.