The azure kingfisher measures 17–19 cm (6.7–7.5 in) in length,[2] and the male weighs 29–32 g (1.0–1.1 oz) while the female is slightly heavier at 31–35 g (1.1–1.2 oz).[3] It is a very colourful bird, with deep blue to azure back, a large white to buff spot on the side of the neck and throat, rufous-buff with some blue-violet streaks on the breast and flanks.[4] The feet are red with only two forward toes.[4] The lores (the region between the eye and the bill) are white and inconspicuous except in front view, where they stand out as two large white eye-like spots which may have a role in warding off potential predators.
Azure kingfisher showing large white eye-like lores
Taxonomy
The subspecies (see box at right) differ only in minor details: compared with the nominate subspecies Ceyx azureus azureus, C. a. ruficollaris is smaller, brighter, and has more blue on the flanks; C. a. diemenensis is rather large, short-billed, and has a distinctly darker crown; C. a. lessoni is more contrasting, with little blue on the flanks; C.a. affinis has a red billtip, as has the smaller C.a. yamdenae; and C. a. ochrogaster is very pale below. Still, there is very little intergradation in the areas where subspecies meet. Comparing subspecific variation with climate data, the former's pattern does not follow and in some instances runs contrary to Bergmann's Rule and Gloger's Rule.[5][3]
The generic name Ceyx (/ˈsiːɪks/) derives from Ancient Greek: Κήϋξ, romanized: Kēüx, a mythological seabird that was drowned at sea and then found washed ashore by his wife Alcyone, after which both were metamorphosed into kingfishers.[6] The specific epithet is Mediaeval Latin azureus, 'azure'.[6]
The habitat of the azure kingfisher includes the banks of vegetated creeks, lakes, swamps, tidal estuaries, and mangroves.[2][4]
It is common in the north of its range, tending to uncommon in the south.[4] It is generally sedentary, although some seasonal migration may occur.[4]
Behaviour
Feeding
The azure kingfisher feeds on small fish, crustaceans (such as shrimps, amphipods and freshwater yabbies), water beetles, spiders, locusts, and small frogs or tadpoles.[3] It is often difficult to see until it quickly darts from a perch above water.
Breeding
The breeding season of the azure kingfisher is from September to April in northern Australia and from August to February in southern Australia, sometimes with two broods.[3] The nest is in a chamber at the end of a 1 m (3 ft 3 in) long burrow in an earthen creek bank.[2] A clutch of 4–6 white, rounded, glossy eggs, measuring 22 mm × 19 mm (0.87 in × 0.75 in), is laid.[4] Both parents incubate the eggs for 20–22 days, and then feed the hatchlings for a further 3 to 5 weeks.[4][3] The nests are occasionally destroyed by floods and their contents may be taken by the brown snake.[3]
Voice
The azure kingfisher is usually silent, but makes a sharp, squeaky call when breeding.[4] Its voice is a high-pitched, shrill "pseet-pseet", often in flight.[3][2]
Conservation status
Although the population of azure kingfishers is decreasing, their wide distribution enables classification as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List.[1]
References
^ abBirdLife International (2016). "Ceyx azureus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22683045A92975058. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22683045A92975058.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
^ abcdePizzey, Graham and Doyle, Roy. (1980) A Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Collins Publishers, Sydney. ISBN073222436-5
^ abcdefghWoodall, P. F. (2020). "Azure Kingfisher (Ceyx azureus), version 1.0." In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. doi:10.2173/bow.azukin1.01
^ abcdefghMorcombe, Michael (2012) Field Guide to Australian Birds. Pascal Press, Glebe, NSW. Revised edition. ISBN978174021417-9
^ abSchodde, R. & Mason I.J. (1976) "Infra-specific variation in Alcedo azurea Latham (Alcedinidae)." Emu76(1): 161–166. doi:10.1071/MU9760161 (HTML abstract)
^ abJobling, James A. (2010). "Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird-names". Retrieved 15 June 2020.
Photos of azure kingfisher from Graeme Chapman's photo library
April 14, 2023
azure, kingfisher, azure, kingfisher, ceyx, azureus, small, kingfisher, river, kingfisher, subfamily, alcedininae, ruficollarisconservation, statusleast, concern, iucn, scientific, classificationkingdom, animaliaphylum, chordataclass, avesorder, coraciiformesf. The azure kingfisher Ceyx azureus is a small kingfisher in the river kingfisher subfamily Alcedininae 2 Azure kingfisherA a ruficollarisConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass AvesOrder CoraciiformesFamily AlcedinidaeSubfamily AlcedininaeGenus CeyxSpecies C azureusBinomial nameCeyx azureusLatham 1801SubspeciesC a azureus Latham 1801Eastern and southeastern Australian population C a ruficollaris Bankier 1841 Northern Australian population C a diemenensis Gould 1846 Tasmanian population C a lessonii Cassin 1850 Southern New Guinea population C a affinis G R Gray 1860 North Maluku population C a yamdenae Rothschild 1901 South Banda Sea population C a ochrogaster Reichenow 1903 Northern New Guinea populationSynonymsAlcedo azurea Contents 1 Description 2 Taxonomy 3 Distribution and habitat 4 Behaviour 4 1 Feeding 4 2 Breeding 4 3 Voice 5 Conservation status 6 References 7 External linksDescription EditThe azure kingfisher measures 17 19 cm 6 7 7 5 in in length 2 and the male weighs 29 32 g 1 0 1 1 oz while the female is slightly heavier at 31 35 g 1 1 1 2 oz 3 It is a very colourful bird with deep blue to azure back a large white to buff spot on the side of the neck and throat rufous buff with some blue violet streaks on the breast and flanks 4 The feet are red with only two forward toes 4 The lores the region between the eye and the bill are white and inconspicuous except in front view where they stand out as two large white eye like spots which may have a role in warding off potential predators Azure kingfisher showing large white eye like loresTaxonomy EditThe subspecies see box at right differ only in minor details compared with the nominate subspecies Ceyx azureus azureus C a ruficollaris is smaller brighter and has more blue on the flanks C a diemenensis is rather large short billed and has a distinctly darker crown C a lessoni is more contrasting with little blue on the flanks C a affinis has a red billtip as has the smaller C a yamdenae and C a ochrogaster is very pale below Still there is very little intergradation in the areas where subspecies meet Comparing subspecific variation with climate data the former s pattern does not follow and in some instances runs contrary to Bergmann s Rule and Gloger s Rule 5 3 The generic name Ceyx ˈ s iː ɪ k s derives from Ancient Greek Khy3 romanized Keux a mythological seabird that was drowned at sea and then found washed ashore by his wife Alcyone after which both were metamorphosed into kingfishers 6 The specific epithet is Mediaeval Latin azureus azure 6 Distribution and habitat EditThe azure kingfisher is found in northern and eastern Australia and Tasmania as well as the lowlands of New Guinea and neighbouring islands and out to North Maluku and Romang The contact zone between the mainland Australian subspecies is along the east coast of Far North Queensland between Cairns and Princess Charlotte Bay 5 and that of the New Guinea ones between Simbu Province and the northern Huon Peninsula as well as south of Cenderawasih Bay 3 The habitat of the azure kingfisher includes the banks of vegetated creeks lakes swamps tidal estuaries and mangroves 2 4 It is common in the north of its range tending to uncommon in the south 4 It is generally sedentary although some seasonal migration may occur 4 Behaviour EditFeeding Edit The azure kingfisher feeds on small fish crustaceans such as shrimps amphipods and freshwater yabbies water beetles spiders locusts and small frogs or tadpoles 3 It is often difficult to see until it quickly darts from a perch above water Breeding Edit The breeding season of the azure kingfisher is from September to April in northern Australia and from August to February in southern Australia sometimes with two broods 3 The nest is in a chamber at the end of a 1 m 3 ft 3 in long burrow in an earthen creek bank 2 A clutch of 4 6 white rounded glossy eggs measuring 22 mm 19 mm 0 87 in 0 75 in is laid 4 Both parents incubate the eggs for 20 22 days and then feed the hatchlings for a further 3 to 5 weeks 4 3 The nests are occasionally destroyed by floods and their contents may be taken by the brown snake 3 Voice Edit The azure kingfisher is usually silent but makes a sharp squeaky call when breeding 4 Its voice is a high pitched shrill pseet pseet often in flight 3 2 Conservation status EditAlthough the population of azure kingfishers is decreasing their wide distribution enables classification as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List 1 References Edit a b BirdLife International 2016 Ceyx azureus IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T22683045A92975058 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 3 RLTS T22683045A92975058 en Retrieved 19 November 2021 a b c d e Pizzey Graham and Doyle Roy 1980 A Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Collins Publishers Sydney ISBN 073222436 5 a b c d e f g h Woodall P F 2020 Azure Kingfisher Ceyx azureus version 1 0 In Birds of the World J del Hoyo A Elliott J Sargatal D A Christie and E de Juana Editors Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ithaca NY USA doi 10 2173 bow azukin1 01 a b c d e f g h Morcombe Michael 2012 Field Guide to Australian Birds Pascal Press Glebe NSW Revised edition ISBN 978174021417 9 a b Schodde R amp Mason I J 1976 Infra specific variation in Alcedo azurea Latham Alcedinidae Emu 76 1 161 166 doi 10 1071 MU9760161 HTML abstract a b Jobling James A 2010 Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird names Retrieved 15 June 2020 Slater Peter Slater Pat amp Slater Raoul 1989 The Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds Revised Edition Weldon Sydney Chicago ISBN 0 947116 99 0External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ceyx azureus Wikispecies has information related to Alcedo azurea Photos audio and video of azure kingfisher from Cornell Lab of Ornithology s Macaulay Library Photo gallery amp description Photos of azure kingfisher from Graeme Chapman s photo library Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Azure kingfisher amp oldid 1113972902, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
