NT
Blyth's Kingfisher Alcedo hercules



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - -

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2022 Near Threatened C2a(ii)
2016 Near Threatened C1+2a(i)
2012 Near Threatened C1+2a(i)
2008 Near Threatened C1; C2a(i)
2004 Near Threatened
2000 Lower Risk/Near Threatened
1996 Vulnerable
1994 Vulnerable
1988 Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency low
Land-mass type continent
Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 3,200,000 km2 medium
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 2500-9999 mature individuals poor suspected 2022
Population trend decreasing poor suspected 1998-2008
Generation length 2.8 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 1 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 100% - - -

Population justification: The global population size has not been accurately quantified, although the species is suspected of having a moderately small population, comprising no more than 10,000 mature individuals. In China, Brazil (2009) suspected there to be fewer than 100 breeding pairs. Despite being mapped as relatively widespread in South-East Asia, there are very few records (eBird 2022) with most observations of the species coming from a comparatively small area in north-east India.

Trend justification: Precise data on trends of this species are lacking. However, deforestation along watercourses, especially in South-East Asia, is suspected of causing declines in this strictly forest-dependent species. Moreover, it may be impacted by riverine pollution and disturbance.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Bangladesh extant vagrant yes
Bhutan extant native yes
China (mainland) extant native yes
India extant native yes
Laos extant native yes
Myanmar extant native yes
Nepal extant vagrant yes
Thailand extant native yes
Vietnam extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
China (mainland) Chebaling Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Meihua Shan Nature Reserve
China (mainland) Tongbiguan
China (mainland) Xishuangbanna
Laos Eastern Bolikhamxay Mountains
Laos Nakai Plateau
Laos Nakai-Nam Theun
Laos Nam Et
Laos Nam Xam
Laos Phou Dendin
Laos Phou Loeuy
Laos Xe Sap
Thailand Mae Fang
Thailand Nong Bong Kai
Vietnam Chu Yang Sin
Vietnam Ke Go
Vietnam Kon Cha Rang
Vietnam Pu Mat
Vietnam Vu Quang

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland suitable resident
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls) major resident
Altitude 400 - 1000 m Occasional altitudinal limits 200 - 1200 m

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (large scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Species disturbance, Ecosystem degradation
Human intrusions & disturbance Work & other activities Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Species disturbance, Reduced reproductive success, Species mortality
Pollution Industrial & military effluents - Type Unknown/Unrecorded Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Reduced reproductive success, Species mortality

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Blyth's Kingfisher Alcedo hercules. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/blyths-kingfisher-alcedo-hercules on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.