Azure Kingfisher
Ceyx azureus
Silhouette: Rachael Joakim · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderCoraciiformes (Rollers, Kingfishers, and Allies)
- FamilyAlcedinidae (Kingfishers)
- GenusCeyx (Dwarf Kingfishers and Allies)
- SpeciesCeyx azureus (Azure Kingfisher)
About the Azure Kingfisher
The azure kingfisher (Ceyx azureus) is a small kingfisher in the river kingfisher subfamily, Alcedininae. The azure kingfisher measures 17–19 cm (6.7–7.5 in) in length, and the male weighs 29–32 g (1.0–1.1 oz) while the female is slightly heavier at 31–35 g (1.1–1.2 oz).
It is a very colourful bird, with deep blue to azure back, a large white to buff spot on the side of the neck and throat, rufous-buff with some blue-violet streaks on the breast and flanks. The feet are red with only two forward toes. The lores (the region between the eye and the bill) are white and inconspicuous except in front view, where they stand out as two large white eye-like spots which may have a role in warding off potential predators.
The subspecies (see box at right) differ only in minor details: compared with the nominate subspecies Ceyx azureus azureus, C. a. ruficollaris is smaller, brighter, and has more blue on the flanks; C. a. diemenensis is rather large, short-billed, and has a distinctly darker crown; C. a. lessoni is more contrasting, with little blue on the flanks; C.a. affinis has a red billtip, as has the smaller C.a. yamdenae; and C. a. ochrogaster is very pale... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Azure Kingfisher in Kakadu National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Kakadu National Park
Little Kingfisher
Ceyx pusillus
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Dacelo leachii
Forest Kingfisher
Todiramphus macleayii
Sacred Kingfisher
Todiramphus sanctus
Red-backed Kingfisher
Todiramphus pyrrhopygius
Torresian Kingfisher
Todiramphus sordidus
Rainbow Bee-eater
Merops ornatus
Dollarbird
Eurystomus orientalis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daintree National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Kakadu National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 3 | Royal National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 4 | Springbrook National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 5 | Litchfield National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 6 | Nitmiluk National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 7 | Booderee National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 8 | Raja Ampat | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 9 | Blue Mountains National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 10 | Lamington National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 11 | Great Otway National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Azure Kingfisher in Kakadu National Park?
About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Azure Kingfisher sighting in Kakadu National Park, based on 429 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Azure Kingfisher in Kakadu National Park?
October has the highest sighting rate for Azure Kingfisher in Kakadu National Park in our monthly data.