Home › Aves › Alcedinidae › Blue-eared Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting)
SPECIES PROFILE
Blue-eared Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting)
Alcedo
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Rivers streams forests near water
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Coraciiformes
FAMILY
Alcedinidae
GENUS
Alcedo
📋 Description
SIZE
16-17 cm long 20-30 g
COLORATION
Bright blue with rufous underparts blue ear patch
ADAPTATIONS
Short tail large bill for diving fish perches low
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Rivers streams forests near water
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
REPRODUCTION
Lays 4-7 eggs in burrow nests incubated 16-22 days
DIET DETAILS
Fish insects crustaceans
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Water pollution habitat loss
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Blue-eared Divers: Blue-eared Kingfishers dive with 25-gram bodies catching 8 grams of fish daily in Kerala's streams. Their blue ear patches are distinctive.
2
Stream Perchers: These kingfishers cover 2000 sq km in Tamil Nadu's forests nesting in riverbanks. Pollution threatens their prey.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary in Kerala
Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu
Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round Streams ensure visibility for spotting kingfishers
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Watch blue-eared kingfishers perched on branches over water
