Common Paradise-Kingfisher

The Common Paradise-Kingfisher (Tanysiptera galatea) is a medium-sized kingfisher.

Other names
Also known as the Galatea Paradise-Kingfisher and the Racquet-tailed Kingfisher.

Description
The kingfisher is exactly 22 cm in length (excluding its tail).

It sports a bright blue crown and a dark blue black. Shoulders and long tail are considerably of a lighter blue with white and blue outer tail feathers. Underparts, rump and long tail streamers are white while the bill is distinctively red.

Juveniles are mostly brown with a paler breast and some dark scalloping.

Similar species
It is larger compared to the Little Paradise-Kingfisher though sports a darker blue crown and tail additionally.

Calls
Series of mounrful whistles, rapidly accelerating into a short trill.

Distribution/habitat
Found in lowland rainforest, monsoon forest, other lowland forest and coastal scrub. It is widespread throughout Moluccas and various islands along the Indian Ocean.