The Mariana kingfisher is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae. It is endemic to the Northern Mariana Islands. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and plantations. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the collared kingfisher.
Region
Micronesia, Western Pacific
Typical Environment
Occurs on several islands of the Northern Mariana chain, favoring coastal and lowland habitats. Typical environments include subtropical or tropical moist lowland and limestone forests, mangroves, coastal thickets, and agroforestry mosaics. It readily uses human-modified landscapes such as plantations and village edges when mature trees or dead snags provide nest cavities. Birds perch conspicuously along forest margins, roadsides, and near clearings to hunt.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The Mariana kingfisher is a forest and edge specialist that often hunts from exposed perches, dropping to the ground or into foliage to seize prey. It was formerly treated as part of the Collared Kingfisher complex but is now recognized as distinct and restricted to the Northern Mariana Islands. It adapts to disturbed habitats such as plantations and gardens, provided suitable perches and nesting cavities are available.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
direct flight with short rapid wingbeats and brief glides
Social Behavior
Generally encountered as singles or pairs that maintain territories year-round. Pairs nest in tree cavities, rotten stumps, or occasionally arboreal termite mounds, laying a small clutch that both sexes incubate. Both parents feed the nestlings and defend the nest aggressively against intruders.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp, ringing kek-kek-kek series and harsh chatter used in territorial displays. Also gives loud whistles and scolds when agitated, often calling from prominent perches.
Plumage
Glossy blue-green upperparts with a clean white collar, throat, and underparts; tail and wings blue to turquoise with darker flight feathers.
Diet
Takes a variety of small animals including large insects, crabs, small lizards, and occasionally small fish or frogs. Hunts by perch-and-pounce, scanning from an open vantage before dropping on prey. Prey is typically beaten against a perch to subdue it before swallowing.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, clearings, and mangroves where open sightlines allow effective perch-hunting. Also forages in plantations, gardens, and roadsides with scattered trees and hedgerows.
