The Azure Kingfisher is native to Australia; it is a beautiful bird with vibrant blue and turquoise plumage on its back, wings, and tail. Its underparts are white, and it has a long, slender black bill.
This kingfisher species is small, measuring about 17 to 19 cm. in length.
Azure Kingfishers are found throughout mainland Australia, excluding the drier regions of the interior. They are also present in some parts of New Guinea and the surrounding islands.
These birds prefer habitats near water bodies such as rivers, streams, billabongs, and coastal areas. They inhabit both freshwater and saltwater environments. They are skilled hunters that primarily feed on small fish, crustaceans, insects, and other aquatic prey. They perch on branches or overhanging vegetation and dive into the water to catch their prey.
These kingfishers usually breed during the wet season. They excavate nesting burrows in earthen banks near water sources. The female lays a clutch of 3 to 6 glossy white eggs, which both parents take turns incubating.
Azure Kingfishers are known for their agile flight and impressive diving skills. They have short legs and sharp claws that allow them to perch on branches near the water’s edge.
The call of an Azure Kingfisher is a series of shrill, high-pitched whistles or piping notes. They use vocalizations to communicate with each other and defend their territories.
While Azure Kingfishers are not considered threatened, local populations can be affected by habitat destruction, pollution, and disturbances to their breeding sites.
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