Malaysian blue-banded kingfisher facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Malaysian blue-banded kingfisher
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Coraciiformes
Family:	Alcedinidae
Subfamily:	Alcedininae
Genus:	Alcedo
Species:	A. peninsulae
Binomial name
Alcedo peninsulae Laubmann, 1941
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The Malaysian blue-banded kingfisher (Alcedo peninsulae) is a beautiful species of kingfisher bird. It lives in warm, wet places like subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, mangrove forests, and near rivers. You can find this bird in countries like Myanmar, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo.

About the Malaysian Blue-banded Kingfisher

This kingfisher is a small bird, usually about 20 centimeters (almost 8 inches) long. It has a fairly long beak and a short tail. Its beak measures about 4.5 to 5 centimeters. This makes it a bit larger than some other kingfishers in the same areas.

What Does It Look Like?

Adult Malaysian blue-banded kingfishers have a white throat and a white patch on their neck. This patch connects to a thin reddish-brown collar at the back. Their head, wings, and upper tail feathers are bluish-black. These parts often have small bright blue speckles. Sometimes, you might see light brownish-yellow spots on their head and shoulder feathers.

The tail is about 3.5 to 4 centimeters long. Their wings measure between 7.9 and 9.2 centimeters. The feathers on their back are a shiny silvery-blue. This color really stands out from the darker parts of their upper body. Young kingfishers look similar to adults, but their colors are not as bright.

Male vs. Female Kingfishers

Male and female Malaysian blue-banded kingfishers look different. This is called sexual dimorphism. Males have a wide blue band across their chest over a white belly. Females, however, have dull reddish-brown feathers on their underparts. They do not have the blue chest band that males do.

Both males and females usually have a brighter blue patch of feathers on their cheeks. Females might also have some reddish feathers mixed in. Females also tend to have more reddish areas around their eyes. Their wings and head feathers are often a less bright, more brownish color.

Other Similar Kingfishers

The female Malaysian blue-banded kingfisher has reddish-brown underparts. She also has a bright white neck mark. These traits are shared with the smaller common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) and the blue-eared kingfisher (Alcedo meninting). However, the Malaysian blue-banded kingfisher has much more contrast. Its bright pale blue back stands out against its darker upper body.

Where Do They Live?

You can mostly find this bird in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. This area is part of what is known as the Greater Sundas. These birds might also be seen in places like Thailand, Brunei, Sumatra, and Myanmar.

You will often spot this bird near water, close to the ground, or in swamps. They usually live near streams and rivers inside forests. They make their homes in evergreen trees, back-mangroves, and other local trees. While they mostly live in lowland areas, they have been seen at higher places. In Peninsular Malaysia, they have been found up to 900 meters high. In Borneo, they have been seen at 1,400 meters.

Kingfisher Behavior

These kingfishers are known to be shy and secretive birds. They are often seen moving from one perch to another. Their flight is fast and direct, and they often fly low over the water. They are usually solitary birds, meaning they like to be alone. However, they have also been seen spending time in pairs. When they sleep, they tuck their head in, usually on a small tree branch.

What Do They Eat?

The Malaysian blue-banded kingfisher mainly eats fish. This type of diet is called piscivore. They are known to eat Rasbora fish and shrimp. They also eat crustaceans, insects, larvae, and even small lizards. The bird hunts for fish from rocks or low branches. Then, it dives into the water and swallows its prey whole.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Malaysian blue-banded kingfishers usually breed between January and March. However, their breeding season can last from January to mid-August. Their nests are often built along stream banks in forests. Sometimes, they dig their nests into the stream banks. The eggs are white and usually, there are 3 to 5 eggs in each brood.

Threats to Kingfishers

The number of Malaysian blue-banded kingfishers is going down. This is because they are losing their habitat. Their homes are destroyed by lots of logging, uncontrolled fires, and new buildings. Forests are also cut down to make room for palm oil and rubber plantations. This further reduces the places where they can live. Also, like all animals, they can get sick from diseases or have tiny creatures called parasites living on or in them.

Diseases and Parasites

While these kingfishers are not known to carry certain blood parasites, they can be affected by mites and lice. Other tiny worms have also been found inside them. These can affect both male and female kingfishers.

Status and Conservation Efforts

The Malaysian blue-banded kingfisher is listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This means their population faces a big risk of declining. They could even face extinction if things do not change.

Protecting the Kingfisher

The biggest danger to this species is the fast rate of deforestation in their habitat. The IUCN has found that 20–23% of forested areas have been lost. This directly affects how many birds there are. Since these birds rely on forest homes, their numbers are expected to keep dropping as more forests disappear.

Forest fires in eastern Borneo are also a big threat. They force the birds out of their natural homes.

To help these birds, conservation efforts are underway. Laws in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand protect the species. Scientists are doing surveys and research to learn more about the bird's population. Plans are being made to reduce the harm from deforestation and forest fires. People are also working to get better protection for the areas where these kingfishers live.