The Javan blue-banded kingfisher, is a species of kingfisher in the subfamily Alcedininae. It is endemic to and found throughout Java, but is thought to be extremely rare due to human pressures such as habitat destruction. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical mangrove forest, and rivers. Its population is estimated to be just 50-249 individuals, and is believed to be in decline.
Region
Java, Indonesia
Typical Environment
Occurs along clear, fast-flowing forest streams, shaded ravines, and quiet pools within lowland and foothill evergreen forests. It also uses forested river corridors and occasionally mangroves near river mouths, but avoids open or heavily disturbed waterways. The species requires overhanging vegetation, perches, and clean water for hunting small aquatic prey. It is highly localized and patchy, persisting mainly where riparian habitat remains intact.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A shy, riverine kingfisher restricted to Java, it relies on clear, shaded forest streams and is seldom seen away from intact cover. Males show a distinctive blue breast-band, while females have richer rufous underparts and lack the full band. Its greatest threats are deforestation, river pollution, sand mining, and disturbance, which have driven it to the brink of extinction.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low over water
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs defending short stretches of shaded stream. Nests are burrows excavated into sandy or earthen banks, with both adults participating in digging and incubation. Clutches are small and breeding coincides with periods of suitable water levels.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp, thin whistles and high-pitched tseet notes, often given in flight or from concealed perches. The call is penetrating but not musical, carrying along forested streams.
Plumage
Dark, slaty-blue upperparts with fine spotting and a contrasting pale throat; underparts vary by sex from buffy-white to rufous. Male shows a distinct blue band across the upper breast; female tends to be warmer rufous below with a reduced or absent blue band. Overall appearance is darker and more subdued than many Alcedo kingfishers.
Diet
Takes small fish, aquatic insects, crustaceans, and tadpoles captured by perch-hunting and swift plunge-dives. It watches intently from low overhanging branches, then drops to snatch prey near the surface. Prey is beaten against a perch to subdue before swallowing.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along shaded, clean, slow to moderately fast forest streams and quiet pools with ample perches. Prefers stretches with overhanging vegetation, root tangles, and stable banks, avoiding open, silted, or polluted waters.
