AZURE KINGFISHER
Ceyx azureus
DESCRIPTION
The Azure Kingfisher is a small, brilliantly coloured kingfisher with deep blue to violet upperparts, warm orange underparts and a long, dark bill. Its vivid colours can make it stand out beautifully when perched, but it can be surprisingly difficult to spot amongst dense vegetation.
WHERE IT LIVES
Azure Kingfishers are found around freshwater habitats such as rivers, creeks, billabongs, wetlands and mangrove-lined waterways. They usually stay close to water, using low branches and other perches as places to watch for prey.
WHAT IT EATS
Azure Kingfishers mainly eat small fish, freshwater crustaceans, aquatic insects and other small animals. They watch the water from a perch before diving quickly to capture their prey.
QUICK FACTS
• Azure Kingfishers are one of Australia’s smallest kingfishers.
• Their brilliant blue colouring gives them their name.
• They often perch quietly on branches close to the water.
• They can dive rapidly from a perch to catch prey below the surface.
• Their long, pointed bill is well suited to catching small aquatic prey.
• They nest in tunnels dug into the banks of creeks and waterways.
• Both parents help care for their young.
PETE'S PHOTO STORY
Azure Kingfishers are beautiful birds to photograph, but their small size and quick movements can make them challenging. I found this one perched quietly amongst the greenery, with the sunlight bringing out the incredible blue and orange colours in its feathers. I waited for it to settle and managed to capture this moment before it moved on.