Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Shining-blue Kingfisher
Alcedo quadribrachys
Shining-blue Kingfisher (Alcedo quadribrachys) — Kingfishers & Rollers of Africa.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Shining-blue Kingfisher (Alcedo quadribrachys) is a member of the Alcedinidae family found in Africa. 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 quadribrachys
Quick facts
- Weight
- 34.9 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Critically Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Shining-blue Kingfisher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Shining-blue Kingfisher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Shining-blue Kingfisher (Alcedo quadribrachys) is a member of the Alcedinidae family, within the order Coraciiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF c, w.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 34.9 g, with a wing length of about 7.7 cm and a tail of around 3.6 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 4.7 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Shining-blue Kingfisher?
The Shining-blue Kingfisher is a small bird that weighs around 34.9 g.
Where does the Shining-blue Kingfisher live?
The Shining-blue Kingfisher is found across Africa with a range covering AF c, w, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Shining-blue Kingfisher belong to?
The Shining-blue Kingfisher (Alcedo quadribrachys) belongs to the Alcedinidae family, in the order Coraciiformes.
What does the Shining-blue Kingfisher eat?
The Shining-blue Kingfisher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Shining-blue Kingfisher migrate?
The Shining-blue Kingfisher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Shining-blue 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 Shining-blue Kingfisher make?
1 real field recording of the Shining-blue Kingfisher — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Shining-blue Kingfisher's range?
The Shining-blue Kingfisher has a mapped global range of about 4.7 million 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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