Javan Kingfisher
A species of Typical Woodland Kingfishers Scientific name : Halcyon cyanoventris Genus : Typical Woodland Kingfishers
Javan Kingfisher, A species of Typical Woodland Kingfishers
Botanical name: Halcyon cyanoventris
Genus: Typical Woodland Kingfishers
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Wich'yanan (Jay) Limparungpatthanakij
Description
The Javan kingfisher is a medium-sized bird (25–27 cm at maturity) with a distinctive large red bill; dark brown irises, head, throat, and collar; a purple body; vivid turquoise primary coverts, secondaries, and tail; white wing patches on the bases of the primaries (visible in flight); and dark red feet. There are no reported significant sexual dimorphisms. Juveniles are duller with brownish-orange bills and whitish throats. Juveniles of the genus Halcyon often show light barring or mottling along areas that are more uniformly colored in adults. The Javan kingfisher's call is described locally as cekakakak cekakakak cekakakak, hence its local name, Cekakak (or variants thereof). Others describe their call as a far-carrying scream that is striking and often heard, yet quieter than that of the collared kingfisher. Alternative published spellings of H. cyanoventris’ call include tjie-rie-rie-rie-rie-rie, chee-ree-ree-ree, or cheree-cheree.
Size
27 cm
Nest Placement
Cavity
Feeding Habits
Javan Kingfisher primarily feeds on insects, small land animals, and fish near water's edge, demonstrating a perching method and using beak to subdue prey. Adapts diet for offspring's age, favoring softer food for hatchlings.
Habitat
Javan Kingfisher thrives in diverse environments, commonly inhabiting open areas such as pastures, fish ponds, rice paddies, and dried marshlands. It is also found in coastal scrublands, mangrove ecosystems, and open dry forests. Municipal gardens and parks within its range provide additional habitats. Javan Kingfisher generally avoids dense, moist forested areas, but may be present where such habitats are intersected by roads and trails.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Behavior
Like all kingfishers, the Javan kingfisher is highly territorial and tends to stay close to its nesting area. They are mostly solitary animals, and are somewhat skittish around humans. Javan kingfishers are non-migratory.
Distribution Area
The Javan kingfisher is endemic to the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali. It is a non-migratory species that lives in a variety of habitats, including pastures, fish ponds, paddyfields, marshes, coastal scrub, mangroves, open dry forest, municipal parks and gardens, and orchards. They inhabit some coastal environments but generally avoid contact with seawater. Humid tropical forests with closed canopies are typically avoided, except where roads and development have cleared the open spaces kingfishers require to hunt. Urban and suburban spaces with suitable tree cover can also provide suitable habitat for Javan kingfishers. Unlike many species of kingfisher, the Javan kingfisher does not appear very dependent on proximity to a body of water. It is typically found at elevations below 1,500 m (4,900 ft) above sea level, but one study found Javan kingfishers at nearly 2,500 m (8,200 ft) on Mount Lawu in East-Central Java.
Species Status
The IUCN Red List currently considers the Javan kingfisher a species of “least concern,” citing the bird's very large range and the fact that its population is not declining precipitously in its assessment of the species. However, the Javan kingfisher was considered “near threatened” as recently as 1988, and its population is generally considered to be declining. Population declines were noted as early as 1970 in Ujung Kulon National Park in West Java and local extinctions have also been reported in Bogor, although more recent literature has reported Javan kingfishers inhabiting planted urban spaces in Bogor. Even abundant populations in remote regions face danger from encroaching development, as Java has faced widespread deforestation and has few natural preservation areas. The Javan Kingfisher was formerly protected by Indonesian Government Law No. 5 from 1990 and Government Law No. 7 from 1999. But despite its protected status, the bird is still frequently captured, caged, and sold in markets for the caged bird trade despite its unsuitability for captive raising. Nonetheless, in 2018 the Indonesian government removed protections for Javan kingfishers and several other bird species in light of the IUCN's “least concern” finding. The removal of the Javan kingfisher's protections have led to calls for a more thorough assessment of the species’ population and status. Additional threats include the use of pesticides in orchards and agricultural areas where the bird is frequently observed.
Photo By Wich'yanan (Jay) Limparungpatthanakij