Little paradise-kingfisher

The little paradise-kingfisher is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae. It is found in the Aru Islands and southern New Guinea.

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Distribution

Region

New Guinea region

Typical Environment

Occurs in the Aru Islands and the lowlands of southern New Guinea. It inhabits primary and secondary lowland rainforest, swamp forest, and gallery forest. The species keeps to shaded understory and midstory perches, often near forest edges or light gaps. Although sometimes found along streams, it is not tied to aquatic habitats. Human disturbance is tolerated to a degree where forest structure remains.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 800 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size23–28 cm (including tail streamers)

Wing Span25–30 cm

Male Weight0.045 kg

Female Weight0.043 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Despite being a kingfisher, this species hunts mainly in forest interiors rather than over water. Like other paradise-kingfishers, it has elegant white tail streamers and often nests in arboreal termite mounds, which the pair excavates together. It is shy and easily overlooked in dense lowland rainforest.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

shy and secretive

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats between perches

Social Behavior

Usually seen singly or in pairs, maintaining small territories in lowland forest. Breeding pairs often excavate nesting tunnels in arboreal termite mounds or rotting termitaria. Clutch size is small, and both parents share incubation and chick-rearing.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Gives a clear, piping series of whistles and thin, ringing notes that carry through the forest. Calls are often repeated in steady sequences at dawn and dusk, with sharper contact chips when disturbed.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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