Wildlifeof China
Blyth's Kingfisher
Kingfishers, Bee-eaters & Rollers
Photo: (c) rohanmenzies, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Alcedo hercules
Basic stats
Diet
Fish and insects, caught by diving from a shrub close to the water
Habitat
Small waterways; nests at the end of tunnels dug in stream or ravine banks
Range
Nepal through India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam
Clutch size
4–6 eggs, both sexes incubating
Size
22–23cm
Blyth's kingfisher is the largest kingfisher in the genus Alcedo, 22–23cm long, with deep rufous underparts, a blackish-blue breast patch and brilliant cobalt-blue or azure upperparts tinged with purple. The wings are dark blackish-green with blue speckles. The male's bill is entirely black while the female has a dark red lower mandible, and it is told from similar kingfishers by its greater size, heavy black bill and dark lores (Wikipedia, general species account).
The range runs from Nepal through India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam; it is rare in Bhutan and north-eastern India. It breeds from March to June in nests at the end of tunnels dug in banks of streams or ravines, with four to six eggs incubated by both sexes. A shy bird, it frequents small waterways, feeding on fish and insects caught by diving from a shrub close to the water (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the Blyth's Kingfisher eat?
- Fish and insects, caught by diving from a shrub close to the water
- What habitat does the Blyth's Kingfisher live in?
- Small waterways; nests at the end of tunnels dug in stream or ravine banks
- Where is the Blyth's Kingfisher found?
- Nepal through India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam
- How many eggs does the Blyth's Kingfisher lay?
- 4–6 eggs, both sexes incubating
- How big is the Blyth's Kingfisher?
- 22–23cm