The rufous-collared kingfisher is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland and hill evergreen forests across Myanmar, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia (including Borneo and Sumatra). It favors intact primary forest but may persist in selectively logged forest and swamp or peat-forest mosaics. Typically keeps to interior and edge of dense forest, sometimes near streams yet not strictly tied to water. Its secretive habits and preference for shaded midstory perches make it easy to overlook.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Despite its name, this forest kingfisher seldom fishes and instead hunts large insects and small vertebrates from shaded perches. It is notoriously elusive, often remaining motionless in the midstory of dense primary forest. The species is sensitive to forest fragmentation and logging, which explains many of its local declines.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through dense forest
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs, maintaining territories within mature forest. Forages by sallying from low to midstory perches, dropping to the ground or snag to seize prey. Nests are thought to be placed in cavities such as rotten stumps, earth banks, or arboreal termitaria, with both parents involved in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, piping series of whistled notes that may descend slightly in pitch and carry well through forest. Calls are often given at dawn and dusk, with occasional harsher chattering notes when agitated.
Plumage
Rich blue-green upperparts with a prominent rufous collar around the hindneck and upper breast, contrasting whitish throat, and buff to rufous underparts. The head shows a darker mask through the eye, and the bill is stout. Sexes are similar overall but can differ subtly in tone and markings.
Diet
Feeds primarily on large insects such as beetles, orthopterans, mantises, and cicadas. It will also take small lizards, frogs, and other small vertebrates when available. Prey is typically seized in quick sallies from a concealed perch and swallowed whole.
Preferred Environment
Hunts within the shaded midstory of primary and well-structured secondary forest, often along trails, gullies, or near small streams. Prefers dense cover where it can remain still and scan for prey before short darting flights.
