Halcyon malimbica malimbica

(Shaw, 1812)

Vernacular names
English : Blue-breasted kingfisher
French : Martin-chasseur à poitrine bleue

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Coraciiformes
Family : Alcedinidae
Notes : 3 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach up to 25 cm in length for a weight of 130 g. Long bill with black base and lower mandible, upper mandible is bright red. Black mask and white forehead. Black wings, white belly and chin. Rest of plumage bright blue. This subspecies is the bluest, without green tinge. Belly whitish.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in western and central Africa, from Senegal to Central African Republic and DR Congo, south to north Angola. Lives in rainforests, gallery forests in savannas, mangroves, woodlands, to 1800 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is locally very common, especially in rainforests and mangroves. It is rarer in dryer habitats. Could be threatened by habitat loss.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Jurong Bird Park (Singapore), Hong Kong Zoo (Hong Kong)

 

Back to “Kingfishers” page