Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Alcedo meninting
Family: Kingfishers · Status: Uncommon resident · Size: 15.5–16.5 cm · Conservation: Least Concern
Resident across the Indian subcontinent, southern China and Southeast Asia.
Cobalt blue upperparts with rufous underparts, male has all-black bill, extent of red on bill of females ranges from lower mandible to entire bill. Smaller than Common Kingfisher, has deeper blue upperparts (turquoise blue in Common Kingfisher) and richer rufous underparts.
Frequents streams and water bodies within forest and dense mangroves, seldom ventures into open or lightly wooded areas. Favours denser, more wooded habitats than Common Kingfisher.
Perches near water, bobbing head and flicking tail before diving vertically for fish and invertebrates; beats prey on perch before swallowing. Nests in a tunnel excavated at a forest-stream bank.