Kingfishers are a group of small to medium sized birds in the family Alcedinidae. There are over 90 different species of kingfisher that inhabit a wide range of habitats across the world. Kingfishers are known for their bright plumage, large head, long dagger-like bill, and short legs. While most kingfishers are brightly colored in shades of blue, green, or reddish-orange, there is one species that is distinct for its primarily black plumage – the Black Kingfisher.
Overview of Kingfishers
Kingfishers can be found on every continent except Antarctica. The greatest diversity of kingfisher species is found in the southeast Asian region. These birds occupy a variety of riverside, estuarine, woodland, and coastal habitats. They feed almost exclusively on fish and some aquatic invertebrates. Kingfishers hunt by perching quietly and scanning for prey. When a fish is spotted, they dive headfirst into the water to catch it with their long bills. The kingfisher’s large head and bill is an adaptation for hunting fish. Their short legs and stubby tails are also beneficial for the plunge-diving method of hunting. While kingfishers nest in a variety of locations from termite mounds to riverbanks to tree hollows, their eggs are almost always laid on a bare surface rather than built nest. The bright plumage of most kingfishers serves as camouflage when perched near water. The blue or green back plumage helps them blend in with the water surface when viewed from below.
Kingfisher Species
There are a number of common and widespread kingfisher species, including:
- Common kingfisher – Found throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa in the vicinity of freshwater habitats.
- Belted kingfisher – Distributed across North America around lakes, rivers, and coastal areas.
- Pied kingfisher – Occurs widely across sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia.
- Collared kingfisher – Found from India to Southeast Asia and parts of Indonesia.
- White-throated kingfisher – Ranges from Southeast Asia to Australia.
While most kingfishers are vividly colored, usually some combination of blue, green, and orange, there are some exceptions. The rufous-backed kingfisher of the Philippines is olive colored on its back rather than blue. The chocolate-backed kingfisher of Sulawesi is a deep reddish brown color. But perhaps the most unique is the black kingfisher of the South Pacific islands.
The Black Kingfisher
The black kingfisher (Actenoides monachus) is a species found only in the islands of the southwest Pacific including New Guinea, northeastern Australia, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. As its name implies, it has all black plumage which is unique among kingfishers. The male has a reddish-orange patch on its lower mandible which the female lacks. The black kingfisher measures around 19-22 cm (7.5-8.5 inches) long.
This kingfisher inhabits tropical rainforests up to elevations of 1200 m (3900 ft). It is typically found in dark, humid forests along streams and rivers. It perches quietly on branches overhanging the water’s edge, scanning for prey. Upon spotting a fish, crustacean, or other aquatic animal, it plunges into the water and seizes it in its long bill.
The black kingfisher excavates nesting tunnels into the muddy banks of rivers and streams. A single clutch of 2-4 eggs is laid on the bare surface of the chamber. Both parents share in incubating the eggs and feeding the young chicks after hatching.
Physical Description
As an adaptation to hunting fish in dark forest streams, the black kingfisher has some excellent visual adaptations. Its eyes are particularly large and specially adapted for detecting movement underwater. The black color of its plumage helps camouflage the bird when perched along the dark waterways it hunts.
| Measurement | Range |
|---|---|
| Length | 19-22 cm (7.5-8.5 in) |
| Wingspan | 24-26 cm (9.5-10.25 in) |
| Weight | 43-55 g (1.5-2 oz) |
Plumage
The black kingfisher’s plumage is entirely black except for a variable reddish-orange patch on the lower mandible of the adult male. The black feathers have a glossy sheen with slight iridescent tones of blue and green when viewed up close. The eyes are dark brown. The legs and feet range from a dull orange to nearly black. Juvenile birds have a whitish tip at the end of the bill which disappears by their first year.
Voice
The call of the black kingfisher is a high, thin “seee” or “zeet”. It also makes a harsh, chattering “kakakaka” sound when disturbed or alarmed.
Similar Species
The black kingfisher is unmistakable within its range due to its entirely black plumage. The only somewhat similar species is the Melanesian kingfisher found in the Solomon Islands. However, the Melanesian kingfisher has a white collar and underparts.
Habitat and Range
The black kingfisher occupies tropical rainforests and monsoon forests up to elevations of 1200 m throughout its range. It inhabits humid, shady forests along rivers and streams.
This species is endemic to the islands of:
- New Guinea
- North-eastern Australia
- Solomon Islands
- Vanuatu
- New Caledonia
There are an estimated 1,000-10,000 mature individuals remaining in the wild. However, due to its broad distribution across several island nations, the black kingfisher is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
New Guinea
The black kingfisher is found scattered throughout lowland and hill rainforests up to 1,200 m elevation on the island of New Guinea.
Northeast Australia
In Australia, the black kingfisher’s range is restricted to a narrow strip of coastal rainforest in far north Queensland.
Solomon Islands
This kingfisher inhabits rainforests across several islands in the Solomons including Bougainville, Choiseul, Isabel, and Santa Ysabel.
Vanuatu
In Vanuatu, it is restricted to forests along streams on the islands of Santo, Malakula, and Aore.
New Caledonia
The black kingfisher can be found in forests along the eastern side of Grande Terre in New Caledonia.
Diet
The black kingfisher feeds predominantly on aquatic animals including fish, shrimp, crabs, and frogs. Less frequently, it will take insects and other small land animals.
It hunts by perching silently on an overhanging perch and scanning the water for signs of movement. Once prey is spotted, the kingfisher plunges vertically into the water to seize it in its bill. It then returns to its perch to bash the prey item against the branch to stun or kill it before swallowing.
Some of the recorded prey items eaten by the black kingfisher include:
- Fish – gobies, archerfish, rainbowfish
- Shrimp
- Crabs
- Frogs and tadpoles
- Insects – dragonflies, beetles
- Small lizards
Breeding and Reproduction
The breeding season of the black kingfisher varies across its range. In Australia, breeding takes place from September to December. In New Guinea, breeding may occur in most months but peaks between December to March.
The black kingfisher nests solitarily in a tunnel excavated into an earth bank along a stream or river. The tunnel is dug 1-5 meters horizontally terminating in a nesting chamber. There is no nest structure or materials added. A typical clutch contains 2-4 eggs which are incubated by both parents. The incubation period lasts around 3 weeks.
Once the chicks hatch, both parents feed the young a diet of small fish, crabs, and insects. Chicks fledge around 32 days after hatching.
Courtship and Mating
Relatively little has been documented about courtship and mating in the black kingfisher. Monogamous pairs will engage in duets of their high-pitched calls during the breeding season. The male will feed the female as part of courtship feeding. Once paired, the male and female maintain a territory.
Nesting
The black kingfisher’s nest consists of a long tunnel dug into the side of a riverbank or earthen cliff. This may be located up to 5 meters above the normal water level. Both sexes excavate the tunnel using their bills and feet. Nest tunnels are usually 1-5 meters long and terminate in an unlined chamber.
Eggs
A typical clutch contains 2-4 white, rounded eggs. The eggs are fairly large for the size of the bird at around 27 x 22 mm. The female likely lays one egg every 1-3 days.
Incubation
Both the male and female incubate the eggs. The incubation period lasts approximately 21-24 days before the eggs hatch. The parents take turns incubating while the mate hunts and brings food back to the nest.
Chicks
The chicks hatch out naked and helpless. They are fed by both parents and fledge around 32 days after hatching. The diet consists mostly of fish but may include some insects and crustaceans.
Conservation Status and Threats
The black kingfisher has a wide distribution across Melanesia and parts of Australia. Its population is estimated at 1,000-10,000 mature individuals and appears to be stable. Due to its relatively large range and population, the black kingfisher is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Some threats to the species include:
- Habitat loss and degradation from logging, mining, and conversion of land for agriculture
- Disturbance along forest rivers from mining, pollution, and infrastructure development
- Capture for the pet trade
However, the black kingfisher occurs across several protected areas throughout its range which confer some level of protection. As long as sufficient suitable forest habitat remains, especially along rivers and streams, the outlook for this unique kingfisher remains positive.
Protected Areas
Some protected areas that are home to breeding populations of the black kingfisher:
- Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area (Papua New Guinea)
- Kakadu National Park (Australia)
- Guadalcanal Province (Solomon Islands)
- Erromango Kauri Reserve (Vanuatu)
Research Needs
Some areas of research that could help inform conservation of the black kingfisher include:
- Surveys to determine population densities across its range
- Telemetry studies to identify key habitat requirements
- Monitoring of nesting success in selectively logged forests
- Assessing the impact of coastal development on nesting habitat
Fun Facts About the Black Kingfisher
In addition to its unique status as the only all black-plumaged kingfisher, here are a few other interesting facts about the black kingfisher:
- Has extra large eyes for hunting prey in the dark forest streams of its habitat
- Feeds by plunge diving vertically from branches into the water
- Both parents share in incubating eggs and feeding chicks
- Nests can be located 5 meters above the normal water level to avoid flooding
- Relatively quiet for a kingfisher with only high-pitched calls
- Known as “Sosokrik” in the Kalam language of New Guinea
Where to See the Black Kingfisher
Some top locations for attempting to observe the black kingfisher in the wild include:
Tari Valley – Papua New Guinea
The rainforests in the Tari Valley provide excellent habitat for the black kingfisher. Birders may spot it perched along forest rivers in Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area.
Daintree Rainforest – Australia
The Daintree region in far north Queensland supports a small population of black kingfishers along the rainforest streams.
Kolombangara Island – Solomon Islands
Kolombangara has extensive forest cover where black kingfishers can be found by quietly walking forest trails near streams.
Malekula Island – Vanuatu
The forests of Malekula offer one of the most accessible sites to potentially see the black kingfisher in Vanuatu.
Conclusion
With its distinctive all-black plumage, the black kingfisher is truly a one-of-a-kind bird. While rarely seen due to the remoteness of its range, this mysterious kingfisher inhabits the shady rainforest streams across several South Pacific islands. Although currently not threatened, habitat loss remains a long-term concern for this range-restricted species. Further surveys and studies of the black kingfisher can provide valuable information to guide ongoing conservation efforts. With care and protection of its specialized forest habitat, this unique bird will hopefully continue gracing the remote waterways of Melanesia for centuries to come. For any bird enthusiast visiting the region, catching a glimpse of a black kingfisher would certainly be a memorable highlight.
