The spotted wood kingfisher or spotted kingfisher is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found on the islands of Luzon, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Negros and Panay where its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests.
Region
Philippines (Luzon and the Visayas)
Typical Environment
Occurs in primary and well-developed secondary lowland to foothill forests, favoring dark, humid interiors and ravines. It perches quietly in the midstory or lower canopy, often near clearings within forest but away from open water. The species tolerates some secondary growth but is strongly tied to old-growth structure. It is rarely seen outside intact forest and is patchy where habitat has been fragmented.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A forest interior specialist, the spotted wood kingfisher seldom visits water and hunts from low, shaded perches in dense lowland forest. Its presence is often revealed by a clear, mournful, descending whistle. Habitat loss from logging and agricultural conversion is the primary threat. It nests in arboreal termite mounds or earthen banks within mature forest.
Illustration by John Gouldmale above, female below
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Typically encountered singly or in pairs, maintaining territories within mature forest. Breeding pairs may duet and defend nest sites vigorously. Nests are usually excavated in arboreal termite mounds or occasionally in earthen banks within forested ravines.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a clear, mournful series of descending whistles, often given from concealed perches. Calls include sharp notes and soft trills used in pair communication.
Plumage
Boldly patterned wood kingfisher with green upperparts spangled or spotted, buffy underparts heavily marked with dark spots, and a contrasting pale throat. Males show a bright blue crown and supercilium with rufous face; females are duller with more greenish tones on the head. Large straight bill and short tail typical of wood kingfishers.
Diet
Feeds mainly on large insects such as beetles, orthopterans, and caterpillars, as well as earthworms and snails. It will also take small vertebrates like lizards or frogs when available. Prey is taken by sallying to the ground or foliage from a low to mid-level perch.
Preferred Environment
Hunts within dense, shaded forest interiors, along ravines, and near fallen logs or leaf litter where invertebrates are abundant. Rarely forages in open areas and is not dependent on streams despite being a kingfisher.
