Photo: Tokumi / Copyrighted free use (Wikimedia Commons)
Crested Kingfisher
Megaceryle lugubris
Crested Kingfisher (Megaceryle lugubris) — Kingfishers & Rollers of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 5 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Crested Kingfisher (Megaceryle lugubris) is a member of the Alcedinidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia and South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 271 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 Megaceryle
- Species lugubris
Where it lives
Northeastern Afghanistan to central Vietnam and Japan
Quick facts
- Weight
- 271 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Crested 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 Crested Kingfisher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Crested Kingfisher (Megaceryle lugubris) belongs to the Alcedinidae family of the order Coraciiformes. It is found across Europe & Northern Asia and South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR, PAL ne Afghanistan to c Vietnam and Japan.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 271 g, with a wing length of about 18.2 cm and a tail of around 10.3 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 5 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Crested Kingfisher?
The Crested Kingfisher is a large bird that weighs around 271 g.
Where does the Crested Kingfisher live?
The Crested Kingfisher is found across Europe & Northern Asia and South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR, PAL ne Afghanistan to c Vietnam and Japan, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Crested Kingfisher belong to?
The Crested Kingfisher (Megaceryle lugubris) belongs to the Alcedinidae family, in the order Coraciiformes.
What does the Crested Kingfisher eat?
The Crested Kingfisher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Crested Kingfisher migrate?
The Crested Kingfisher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Crested 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 Crested Kingfisher make?
1 real field recording of the Crested 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 Crested Kingfisher's range?
The Crested Kingfisher has a mapped global range of about 5 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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