Azure Kingfisher

The Azure Kingfisher (Ceyx Azureus) is a small kingfisher in the river kingfisher subfamily, Alcedininae. The azure kingfisher inhabits parts of Tasmania, northern and eastern Australia, the lowlands of New Guinea, and nearby islands, as well as North Maluku and Romang. The contact zone between the New Guinean subspecies and the mainland Australian subspecies is between Simbu Province and the northern Huon Peninsula, as well as south of Cenderawasih Bay, on the east coast of Far North Queensland between Cairns and Princess Charlotte Bay.

The azure kingfisher is 17–19 cm long and weighs between 29–32 g for the male and 31–35 g for the female. It has a deep blue to azure back, a huge white to buff spot on the side of the neck and throat, and a rufous buff with some blue-violet streaks on the breast and flanks. It is a very colorful bird. There are only two forward toes on the red foot. Except in the front view, when they stand out as two sizable white spots resembling eyes, the lores (the area between the eye and the bill) are white and barely noticeable. These spots may serve as a deterrent to potential predators.