Lazuli kingfisher
The lazuli kingfisher (Todiramphus lazuli) is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae. It can be found on the islands of Seram, Ambon and Haruku. Found singly and in pairs in lowland wooded areas, including cultivated areas and mangroves. Pale blue underside is unique among kingfishers in its limited south Moluccan range. Rowdy vocalizations include repetitive “ker-chick” series and “ki-ki-ki-ki…” calls. It gets its name due to its colour being reminiscent of Lapis Lazuli.
| Lazuli kingfisher | |
|---|---|
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| illustration by John Gerrard Keulemans | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Dinosauria |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Coraciiformes |
| Family: | Alcedinidae |
| Subfamily: | Halcyoninae |
| Genus: | Todiramphus |
| Species: | T. lazuli |
| Binomial name | |
| Todiramphus lazuli (Temminck, 1830) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Todirhamphus lazuli (Temminck, 1830) [orth. error] | |
Description
A stunning blue-and-white kingfisher with entirely blue upperparts in both sexes. Female has white throat and pale blue breast and belly, but male shows more white, with pale blue confined to belly. Juvenile resembles dull male, with buff throat, spot near bill, and speckled breast and collar.
Habitat
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical mangrove forest, and plantations. It is threatened by habitat loss.
References
- BirdLife International (2022). "Todiramphus lazuli". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T22683310A216636478. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
