Migrant Animals

Alcedo atthis

Common Kingfisher
LC
Least Concern
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
ver 3.1, 2016
QR Code
SSN 20633
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Taxonomy

Description

Alcedo atthis is commonly known as Common Kingfisher. It belongs to family Alcedinidae. This species is the smallest of open country kingfishers that are familiar throughout Europe and Asia. It can be found in water’s edge in open-country swamps, old mining pools, aquaculture ponds, and mangroves.

As for this species, both male and female are almost identical except for an orange colouration with a black tip on the lower part of the female’s bill. The colour of their wings and upperparts is blue-green, while the rump and tail are bright blue. It also has bright orange underparts with a small, white bib underneath their bill, on the throats (Strange & Jeyarajasingam, 1993). The common kingfisher feeds mainly on fish and invertebrates and will fly rapidly, low over the water, and hunt for the fish from riverside perches, occasionally hovering above the water's surface.

Habits

  Part Habit
 
Solitary   —   Single only.

Habitats

No Description Suitability Seasonality
1
Artificial - Aquatic → Canals and Drainage Channels, Ditches
Suitable Non-breeding
2
Artificial - Aquatic → Canals and Drainage Channels, Ditches
Suitable Breeding
3
Artificial - Aquatic → Excavations (open)
Suitable Non-breeding
4
Artificial - Aquatic → Excavations (open)
Suitable Breeding
5
Artificial - Aquatic → Ponds [below 8 ha]
Suitable Non-breeding
6
Artificial - Aquatic → Ponds [below 8 ha]
Suitable Breeding
7
Artificial - Aquatic → Water Storage Areas [over 8 ha]
Suitable Non-breeding
8
Artificial - Aquatic → Water Storage Areas [over 8 ha]
Suitable Breeding
9
Artificial - Terrestrial → Rural Gardens
Suitable Non-breeding
10
Artificial - Terrestrial → Rural Gardens
Suitable Breeding
11
Artificial - Terrestrial → Urban Areas
Suitable Non-breeding
12
Forest → Subtropical/Tropical Mangrove Forest Vegetation Above High Tide Level
Suitable Non-breeding
13
Forest → Subtropical/Tropical Mangrove Forest Vegetation Above High Tide Level
Suitable Breeding
14
Grassland → Subtropical/Tropical Seasonally Wet/Flooded Lowland Grassland
Suitable Non-breeding
15
Grassland → Subtropical/Tropical Seasonally Wet/Flooded Lowland Grassland
Suitable Breeding
16
Marine Intertidal → Rocky Shoreline
Suitable Non-breeding
17
Marine Intertidal → Tidepools
Suitable Non-breeding
18
Marine Neritic → Estuaries
Suitable Non-breeding
19
Wetlands → Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Peatlands [generally over 8 ha]
Suitable Non-breeding
20
Wetlands → Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Peatlands [generally over 8 ha]
Suitable Breeding
21
Wetlands → Permanent Freshwater Lakes [over 8 ha]
Suitable Non-breeding
22
Wetlands → Permanent Freshwater Lakes [over 8 ha]
Suitable Breeding
23
Wetlands → Permanent Rivers, Streams, Creeks [includes waterfalls]
Suitable Non-breeding
24
Wetlands → Permanent Rivers, Streams, Creeks [includes waterfalls]
Suitable Breeding
References : http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes/habitats-classification-scheme-ver3

Assessment

Year Published Assessment Red List Category Version
2016 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
3.1
2012 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
3.1
2009 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
1994 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
1988 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A

Location

by State Location
  • Johore 2
  • Pahang 2
  • Penang 1
  • Perak 3
  • Sabah 1
  • Selangor 1
  • Terengganu 1
  • Federal Territories of Putrajaya 2
Based on publications, specimens, and images

Biodiversity Experts

Profile
Abdul Rahman (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
  • Birds
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Environment
  • Forest
  • Protected Areas
  • Wildlife Trade
  • PM
Azmi Mat Ali (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
  • Birds (Taxonomy)
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Wildlife Trade
  • PM
Farah Shafawati Mohd Taib (Dr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
  • Birds
  • Mammals
  • Rodents
  • Treeshrews
  • Squirrels
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Data Analysis
  • Ecosystems
  • Taxonomy
  • PM
Ismail Bin Hj. Mamat (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
  • Birds
  • Biodiversity
  • Protected Areas
  • Invasive Alien Species
  • PM
Meor Amran Bin Meor Zulkifilee (Mr.)
Birdgroup Taman Negara (BGTN)
  • Birds
  • Business
  • Environment
  • Forest
  • Management
  • Tourism
  • PM
Mohammad Shahfiz Azman (Mr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
  • Amphibians
  • Mammals
  • Birds
  • Amphibians
  • Reptiles
  • Awareness
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Environment
  • Forest
  • Landscape
  • Law and Policy
  • Management
  • Protected Areas
  • Science
  • Systematics
  • Invasive Alien Species
  • Like-Minded Megadiverse Countries (LMMC)
  • National Policy on Biological Diversity
  • Policy
  • Research and Development (R&D)
  • Zoonotic
  • PM
  • SBH
  • SWK
  • SEA
Mohd Abdul Muin Bin Md Akil (Mr.)
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
  • Amphibians
  • Birds
  • Reptiles
  • Snakes
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Evolution
  • Genetics
  • Molecular
  • Protected Areas
  • Climate Change
  • Invasive Alien Species
Rahmah Binti Ilias (Mrs.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
  • Birds
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Protected Areas
  • Invasive Alien Species
  • PM
Rosli Hashim (Prof. Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
  • Birds (Ecology)
  • Mammals (Ecology)
  • Spiders
  • Insects
  • Biodiversity
  • Protected Areas
  • PM
  • W
Rosli Ramli (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
  • Mammals (Ecology)
  • Birds
  • Biodiversity
  • Digital Sequence Information (DSI)
  • Protected Areas
  • Marine & Coastal
  • PM
  • W
Syaizwan Zahmir Zulkifli (Dr.)
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
  • Birds (Ecology)
  • Fishes (Ecology)
  • Molluscs (Ecology)
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Marine & Coastal
  • Water
Yeap Chin Aik (Mr.)
Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)
  • Birds (Ecology)
  • Awareness
  • Biodiversity
  • Biological Resource
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Education
  • Forest
  • Landscape
  • Management
  • Protected Areas
  • Traditional Knowledge (TK)
  • PM
  • SBH
  • SWK
PM - Peninsular Malaysia; SBH - Sabah; SWK - Sarawak; SEA - Southeast Asia; W - World;

References

Article
  1. Baharuddin, Z.M., Rusli, F.N. & Othman, R. (2014). Kuala Lumpur Urban Biodiversity: Birds Community in Urban Public Parks. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Policy 3 (6), 146-159
  2. Rajpar, M.N. & Zakaria, M. (2014). Effects of Habitat Characteristics on Waterbird Distribution and Richness in Wetland Ecosystem of Malaysia. Journal of Wildlife and Parks 28, 105-120
  3. Sodhi, N.S., Briffett, C., Lee, B.P.Y-H. & Subaraj, R. (1999). An Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Pulau Tioman, Peninsular Malaysia. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplements (6), 125-130
Book
  1. Birds of FRIM, 2003. Forest Research Institute of Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 49.
  2. Guidebook to the Biodiversity of Linting wetlands, 2015. Wetlands International, Malaysia. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
  3. Island Life: A Natural History of Pulau Tengah, Johor, Malaysia, 2018. WS Lifestyle, Singapore. pp. 163.
  4. MNS Bird Conservation Council. 2015. A Checklist of the Birds of Malaysia Second Edition. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Nature Society - Bird Conservation Council, Malaysia. pp. 60.
  5. Pelan Pengurusan Hidupan Liar Putrajaya, 1998. PERHILITAN & Perbadanan Putrajaya, Malaysia. pp. 100.
  6. Permata Negeri Kedah: Hutan Ulu Muda, 2021. WWF-Malaysia. pp. 100.
  7. Abdul Rahman, A.R., Koh, H.L., Muhamad, A., Wan Yusof, W.K. & Latiff, A. (2011). Hutan Simpan Melaka: Pengurusan Hutan, Persekitaran Fizikal, Kepelbagaian Biologi dan Socio-ekonomi. Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 315.
  8. Abdullah, N.A.T. & Abdul Aziz, M.A. (2019). Winged Beauties: Birds of Sarawak. Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Malaysia. pp. 196.
  9. Akashah, M., Noordin, N., Kasim, A. & Dzahiri, F. (2012). Bird Map Putrajaya Lake and Wetland: UNECO - IHP Ecohydrology Programme. Perbadanan Putrajaya, Malaysia. pp. 120.
  10. Asyraf, M., Mohd Abdul Muin, M.A., Shahrul Anuar, M.S. & Rahmad, Z. (2015). Pictorial Guide To The Plant and Bird Life of Byram Mangrove Forest, Penang. Penerbit USM, Malaysia. pp. 190.
  11. Davison, G.W.H. & Chew, Y. F. (1995). A Photographic Guide to Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. New Holand Ltd. pp. 144.
  12. Francis, C.M. (1998). A Pocket Guide To The Birds of Borneo, Third Edition. The Sabah Society, Malaysia.
  13. Gregory-Smith, R. (1995). The Birds of Sarawak: A Pocket Checklist. Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia. pp. 21.
  14. Hazebroek, H.P., Adlin, T.Z. & Sinun, W. (2011). Danum Valley: The Rain Forest. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Malaysia. pp. 615.
  15. Ilias, R., Aminurddin Ahmad, M., Yatim, H.S.H., Abu Hashim, A.K., Hassan, H., Othman, A. & Abidin, F.A.Z. (2007). Avifauna: Kuala Gula, Perak: Senarai Spesies. Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Malaysia (PERHILITAN), Malaysia. pp. 21.
  16. Jamaludin, H., Yatim, H.S.H., Abu Hashim, A.K., Saaban, S., Hassan, H., Othman, A. & Mohd Nor, D.H. (2007). Avifauna: Taman Negara: Senarai Spesies. Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Malaysia (PERHILITAN), Malaysia. pp. 44.
  17. Jamaludin, H., Yatim, H.S.H., Abu Hashim, A.K., Saaban, S., Hassan, H., Othman, A. & Mohamad Rufino, B.M. (2007). Avifauna: Paya Indah Wetlands: Senarai Spesies. Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Malaysia (PERHILITAN), Malaysia. pp. 21.
  18. James, G., Mendis, T. & David, L. (2012). 2nd Edition Migratory Birds of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. pp. 92.
  19. Jeyarajasingam, A., Norhayati, A., Yasser, M.A. & Ilias, R. (2016). Burung-burung Malaysia : Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS). Penerbit UKM, Bangi, Malaysia. pp. 165. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ] — [ | eBook (EPUB) ]
  20. Myers, S. (2009). A Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo. Simon Papps, Singapore. pp. 272.
  21. Nee, T. A. & Norhayati, N. (2018). Compendium of Facts and Figures. 3rd Edition, Volume 3. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia. pp. 174.
  22. Nik Ahmad Irwan Izzauddin, N. H., Suhaila, A.H. & Zarul, H.H. (2019). Royal Belum-Temengor Rainforest : The Hidden Treasure of Perak. Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia and Kementerian Air, Tanah dan Sumber Asli. pp. 300.
  23. Omar, R. (2018). Birds of the Forests of Peninsular Malaysia: A Photographic Guide. Strategic Information and Research Development Centre, Malaysia. pp. 351.
  24. Phang, S.M., Affendi, Y.A., Ooi, J.L.S. & Haji, A.J.M. (2008). Natural History of The Pulau Tioman Group of Islands. Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), University of Malaya, Malaysia. pp. 292.
  25. Praveena, B.K. & Maria Arlene, J.A.S. (2013). Compendium of Facts and Figures. 2nd Edition. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia. pp. 161.
  26. Rajendran, S. & Jeyarajasingam, A. (2021). Malaysian Birds - A Glimpse. Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), Malaysia. pp. 1-335.
  27. Rosla, M. (2014). Burung-burung di Semenanjung Malaysia: Hak Milik Kita yang Terlepas Pandang, Volume 1. Red Door To Hunt, Malaysia. pp. 369.
  28. Chan, K.S & See, C.M (2020). Coastal Mangrove Birds of Bagan Datuk, Perak. Malaysian Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. pp. 80. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
  29. Shaharuddin, M.I., Azahar, M., Razani, U., Kamaruzaman, A.B., Lim, K.L., Suhaili, R., Jalil, M.S. & Latiff, A. (2005). Sustainable Management of Matang Mangroves: 100 Years and Beyond. Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 531.
  30. Shaharuddin, M.I., Mokhtar, M.I., Wan Yusof, W.A., M. Rahim, R. & Latiff, A. (2004). Taman Negeri Endau Rompin : Pengurusan, Persekitaran Fizikal dan Biologi. Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 378.
  31. Jeyarajasingam, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press, Oxford. pp. 449.
Chapter in book
  1. Inventori Hidupan Liar di Putrajaya. In Pelan Pengurusan Hidupan Liar Putrajaya. PERHILITAN & Perbadanan Putrajaya. pp. 1-52.
Unpublish
  1. Checklist of Biodiversity of Setiu (2019)

Acknowledgements :- Mr. Abdul Razak Mohd Nor Rasid, Mr. Ahmad Amir Firdaus Bin Mad Apandi, Ms. Aida Salihah Binti Abu Bakar, Ms. Ajla Rafidah Baharom, Mr. Allen Jeyarajasingam, Ms. Amirah Hasanah Binti Mazlan, Mrs. Aziemah Binti Kinan, Mr. Badrul Amin Bin Jaffar, Ms. Fatin Farisha Binti Mohd Jamil, Ms. Fatin Qurratul 'ain Binti Saberam, Mr. Muhammad Izzuddin Bin Hazan, Ms. Norayuni Binti Ramlee, Ms. Norazah Binti Norddin, Mrs. Nur Hazwanie Binti Abd Halim, Ms. Nurfadzilah Bt Azmi, Ms. Nurfarhana Hizan Binti Hijas, Ms. Nurliyana Binti Abd Rahman, Ms. Nursyafiqa Madzlen, Ms. Siti Zubaidah Binti Abdul Latif, Mr. Tan Kok Kiat & Mr. Yasser Mohamed Arifin

Photo credit :- Ambo Sakka Mappeasse, Francis Yap, Koay Zhong Ying, Mohd Rosmadi Hassan & uzair ar

Species Citation :- Alcedo atthis. Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS). Accessed via https://www.mybis.gov.my/sp/20633. [Retrieved 01 December 2023].

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