Azure Kingfisher

Ceyx azureus (Latham, 1801)

Azure Kingfisher, Ceyx azureus, breeds across northern and eastern Australia, New Guinea and nearby islands, extending through the Moluccas and the eastern Lesser Sundas. It is a kingfisher of vegetated creeks, lakes, swamps, tidal estuaries and mangroves. The bird is small and belongs to the river kingfisher group. Its plumage is striking, with a deep blue to azure back, a pale patch on the side of the neck and throat, and rufous-buff underparts marked with blue-violet streaking. The feet are red and have only two forward toes.

Order

Coraciiformes

Family

Alcedinidae — Kingfishers

Breeding range

Australasia: n, s Moluccas, e Lesser Sundas, New Guinea and satellites, and n, e Australia