Blue-eared Kingfisher

Scientific Name: Alcedo meninting
Malay Name: Rajaudang Meninting
Chinese Name: 蓝耳翠鸟

Range:
Found from the Indian subcontinent to Southern China and Southeast Asia

Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: coltarti, phillipsi, scintillans, rufigastra, meninting.

Local Subspecies: meninting

Size: 15.5-16.5 cm

Identification:
Resembles Common Kingfisher but smaller and has deeper blue upperparts (without turquoise blue tinge) and blue ear-coverts. Male has all black bill while female has reddish lower mandible. Juvenile has rufous ear-coverts and mostly red bill.

Similar looking species: Common Kingfisher

Habitat: Streams, ponds and suitable water bodies in or near forest and wooded areas.

Behaviour/Ecology: Nest in tunnel excavated at bank of forest streams.

Local Status: Rare resident

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Central Catchment Forest, Hindhede Quarry, Bukit Batok Nature Park, Kranji Marsh, Lorong Halus, Sungei Buloh, Jurong ECO Garden and Pulau Ubin.

Photos:

Blue-eared Kingfisher at Hindhede Nature Park. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Blue-eared Kingfisher pair at NTL2. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Juvenile Blue-eared Kingfisher at Lower Peirce. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Male Blue-eared Kingfisher at Pekan Quarry, Ubin. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Subadult female Blue-eared Kingfisher at NTL2. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Subadult female Blue-eared Kingfisher at NTL2. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Blue-eared Kingfishers at NTL2. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Alcedo meninting. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. Downloaded on 2 September 2021
Robson, C. (2008). A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia. New Holland Publishers.