Blue-eared Kingfisher – immature female

“An immature female Blue-eared Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting meninting) with close to adult plumage, developing the ‘blue-ear’ plumage.

“Note white tip to the bill and some rufous behind the eye that support the immature status. The coral-red, especially to the lower aspect of the mandible support it being female. Note the classical posture of upturned beak, looking skyward (above).

The video shows the other common behaviour of ‘head-bobbing’. I cannot be fully sure this is ‘natural’ behaviour or due to anxiety induced by the observer; I suspect both with an increased frequency when anxious.

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
4th February 2018

Location: Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Secondary growth near limestone hills