The Society kingfisher or Tahiti kingfisher is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae. It is endemic to the Society Islands of French Polynesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
Region
Society Islands, French Polynesia
Typical Environment
Occurs in subtropical to tropical moist lowland and montane forests, especially along forest edges, riverine corridors, and clearings. It also uses secondary growth, plantations, and gardens adjacent to native forest where suitable perches are available. The species favors valleys with tall trees for nesting cavities and hunting perches. It generally avoids dense urban areas and heavily degraded coastal zones.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Tahiti kingfisher, it is confined to the Society Islands of French Polynesia and is closely tied to forested valleys and edges. It hunts from exposed perches, sallying to the ground or foliage for prey. Habitat loss and introduced predators have impacted some island populations, making conservation actions important. Its striking blue crown and bold dark eye-mask make it one of the most distinctive forest birds on Tahiti.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Typically found alone or in pairs, holding year-round territories. Pairs are monogamous and nest in cavities, often in rotten trunks, branches, or occasionally earthen banks. Both sexes participate in defending the territory and provisioning young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp, metallic keks and chattering series delivered from prominent perches. Calls can accelerate into rattling trills during territorial encounters.
Plumage
Compact kingfisher with glossy blue to turquoise upperparts and crown, contrasting clean whitish underparts and collar, and a bold dark eye-mask. Wings and tail are blue with darker tips; back often shows a greenish-blue sheen. Bill is stout and mostly dark with a paler base.
Diet
Primarily hunts large insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, taken by sallying from a perch. It also captures spiders and occasionally small lizards or crustaceans near streams. Prey is typically subdued by striking it against a branch before swallowing.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, stream margins, and clearings where perches overlook open ground or low foliage. It readily exploits semi-open habitats adjacent to native forest, including gardens and plantations.
