Photo: Lip Kee Yap from Singapore, Republic of Singapore / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Cerulean Kingfisher
Alcedo coerulescens
Cerulean Kingfisher (Alcedo coerulescens) — Kingfishers & Rollers of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Cerulean Kingfisher (Alcedo coerulescens) is a member of the Alcedinidae family found in Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 34.9 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Coraciiformes
- Family Alcedinidae Kingfishers
- Genus Alcedo
- Species coerulescens
Where it lives
Southern Sumatra, Java and Bali, Kangean Is. (north of Bali) and Lombok to Flores (western, central Lesser Sundas)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 34.9 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Critically Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Cerulean Kingfisher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of rivers and riverside habitats, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Cerulean Kingfisher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Cerulean Kingfisher (Alcedo coerulescens) is a member of the Alcedinidae family, within the order Coraciiformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR, AU s Sumatra, Java and Bali, Kangean Is. (n of Bali) and Lombok to Flores (w, c Lesser Sundas).
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 34.9 g, with a wing length of about 5.9 cm and a tail of around 2.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 219,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Cerulean Kingfisher?
The Cerulean Kingfisher is a small bird that weighs around 34.9 g.
Where does the Cerulean Kingfisher live?
The Cerulean Kingfisher is found across Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR, AU s Sumatra, Java and Bali, Kangean Is. (n of Bali) and Lombok to Flores (w, c Lesser Sundas), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Cerulean Kingfisher belong to?
The Cerulean Kingfisher (Alcedo coerulescens) belongs to the Alcedinidae family, in the order Coraciiformes.
What does the Cerulean Kingfisher eat?
The Cerulean Kingfisher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Cerulean Kingfisher migrate?
The Cerulean Kingfisher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Cerulean Kingfisher endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Cerulean Kingfisher make?
1 real field recording of the Cerulean Kingfisher — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Cerulean Kingfisher's range?
The Cerulean Kingfisher has a mapped global range of about 219,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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