Azure kingfisher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Azure kingfisher |
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| Azure kingfisher (Alcedo azurea) | |
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Alcedo
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A. azurea
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| Alcedo azurea Latham, 1801
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The azure kingfisher (Alcedo azurea) is a small, very colorful kingfisher bird. It's part of the river kingfisher family, called Alcedinidae. These amazing birds are about 17 to 19 centimeters long, which is roughly the size of a small ruler. You can find them living in different parts of Australia and Tasmania. They also live in New Guinea and some islands nearby, stretching out to North Maluku and Romang.
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What Does the Azure Kingfisher Look Like?
This bird is incredibly vibrant! Its back is a deep blue, almost like the color of the sky on a clear day. It has a noticeable white or creamy spot on the side of its neck and throat. Its chest and sides are a reddish-orange color, sometimes with pretty blue-violet streaks.
The azure kingfisher has bright red feet, which are special because they only have two toes pointing forward. The area between its eye and bill, called the lores, is white. These white spots are usually hard to see unless you look at the bird from the front. When seen head-on, these spots look like two big white eyes. Scientists think these "eye spots" might help scare away animals that want to eat them.
Where Does the Azure Kingfisher Live?
Azure kingfishers love to live near water. You'll often spot them by creeks, lakes, swamps, and even in places where the ocean meets rivers, like tidal estuaries and mangroves. They prefer clear, slow-moving water where they can easily find their food.
What Does the Azure Kingfisher Eat?
These skilled hunters are very quick! They can dive rapidly from a branch or perch above the water. Their favorite foods are freshwater crayfish and small fish. They use their sharp eyesight to spot prey from above, then plunge into the water to catch it.
How Does the Azure Kingfisher Build Its Nest?
When it's time to build a nest, azure kingfishers dig a tunnel in a creek bank. This tunnel can be up to 1 meter (about 3 feet) long! At the end of the tunnel, they create a special chamber where the female lays her eggs. They usually lay 5 to 7 white, round eggs. If you hear a high-pitched "pseet-pseet" sound, it might be an azure kingfisher calling out!
See Also
Want to learn more? Check out the Spanish version for kids: Martín pescador azur para niños
