The **Azure Kingfisher (Ceyx azureus)** is a small, brilliantly colored bird native to Australia and parts of New Guinea. This striking bird is known for its vibrant plumage, with a deep azure-blue back, wings, and tail, contrasting with a bright orange belly and throat. It has a long, slender bill that is perfectly adapted for catching fish, its primary food source. The Azure Kingfisher is typically found along the edges of rivers, lakes, and streams, where it perches quietly on low branches or reeds, waiting to spot its next meal.

This kingfisher’s hunting technique is both patient and precise. It watches the water carefully for small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects, which make up the bulk of its diet. Once it spots its prey, the Azure Kingfisher dives swiftly into the water, often emerging with a fish held tightly in its beak. The bird then returns to its perch, where it may beat the prey against a branch before swallowing it whole. This efficient hunting style, combined with its excellent eyesight, makes the Azure Kingfisher a formidable predator in its aquatic environment.

 

Breeding season for the Azure Kingfisher typically occurs from September to April. During this time, they nest in burrows dug into the banks of rivers or creeks, often in areas with dense vegetation. The female lays a clutch of 4-7 white eggs, which are incubated by both parents. The young hatch after about three weeks and are cared for by the parents until they are ready to fledge. Despite being relatively common in their range, the Azure Kingfisher’s dependence on clean, healthy waterways means that they can be vulnerable to habitat degradation and water pollution, highlighting the importance of preserving their natural habitats.