The Marquesan kingfisher or Marquesas kingfisher is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae. It is endemic to French Polynesia. It is threatened by habitat loss and predation by introduced species, and is currently classified as Critically endangered, with fewer than 500 individuals left in the wild.
Region
Marquesas Islands, South Pacific
Typical Environment
The species is restricted to a few islands in the Marquesas, surviving mainly in native and mixed secondary forests, wooded valleys, and coconut groves. It favors areas with scattered tall perches along forest edges and clearings. Nest sites are usually in natural cavities or excavated in decayed wood, including coconut palms. It tolerates some human-altered habitats but requires patches of mature trees for nesting and hunting.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This forest kingfisher rarely fishes; it hunts mainly insects and small lizards from exposed perches. It nests in cavities, often in rotten tree trunks or coconut palms. The species is imperiled by habitat loss and invasive predators such as rats and cats. Conservation actions focus on predator control, habitat protection, and monitoring of the tiny remaining population.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with direct, low flights between perches
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs that defend territories year‑round. Breeding pairs nest in cavities in soft wood or coconut palms, laying a small clutch that both parents incubate and feed. Young remain near the territory after fledging for a short period.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A sharp series of whistles and rattling chatters, often delivered from exposed perches. Calls carry far through valleys and are used for territory advertisement and pair contact.
Plumage
Compact forest kingfisher with bright blue to blue‑green upperparts and clean white underparts. The head shows a dark mask through the eye, with a contrasting white throat and often a pale collar. Tail and wings are vivid blue; the bill is large and straight.
Diet
Primarily large insects such as orthopterans and beetles, supplemented by spiders and other arthropods. It also takes small lizards when available. Prey is typically spotted from a perch and caught in short sallies to the ground or vegetation.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, clearings, and coconut groves where open sightlines allow perch-hunting. It also works along streamside vegetation and garden trees near villages.
