Alcedo euryzona
The Javan Blue-banded Kingfisher, *Alcedo euryzona*, is a truly captivating jewel of Indonesia's forests, known for its strikingly vibrant plumage and elusive nature. This compact kingfisher measures approximately 17-18 cm (6.7-7.1 inches) in length, featuring a large head, a short tail, and a stout, dagger-like bill. Its upperparts are a brilliant, iridescent blue, contrasting sharply with its rich rufous underparts and a pristine white throat. A defining field mark for the Javan subspecies ...
Found in tropical and subtropical lowland primary and mature secondary forests, specifically along clear, shaded forest streams and rivers with overhanging vegetation. Typically occurs at elevations from sea level up to 1,500 meters.
Primarily consumes small fish and aquatic insects, such as dragonfly larvae. Occasionally takes small crustaceans and tadpoles, caught by diving from a perch.
The Javan Blue-banded Kingfisher is a solitary and highly elusive bird, often observed perching silently on low branches or roots over clear forest streams, patiently scanning the water below. Its primary foraging strategy involves a sudden, head-first plunge into the water to snatch prey, return...
The Javan Blue-banded Kingfisher is strictly endemic to the island of Java, Indonesia, where it is a non-migratory resident species. Historically, its distribution encompassed suitable forested areas across western and central Java. However, its current range is severely fragmented and highly res...
Endangered
- The Javan Blue-banded Kingfisher is entirely endemic to the island of Java, making it a unique and irreplaceable part of Indonesia's biodiversity. - Its brilliant blue plumage is not due to pigment but to the structural properties of its feathers, which reflect light in a way that creates an ir...