EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Blue-eared on the Roost

Blue-eared Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting), Family Alcidinidae
Tanjung Puting National Park, Borneo, Indonesia

Explanation:  Ah, out on a night expedition in Tanjung Puting National Park in southern Borneo, Indonesia.  We spotlight a brilliant blue and orange visage in the undergrowth.  

This is a Blue-eared Kingfisher, on night roost.  

Found in southeast Asia, the species has been reduced on the island of Borneo from extensive forest removal and fires.  Few if any studies have identified roosting habitat of the species, but it is clear that forest loss is likely having a key impact, although the IUCN Red List tags it as Least Concern although "decreasing."  

Information:
     Slik, J.W.F., and S. Van Balen.  2006.  Bird Community Changes in Response to Single and Repeated Fires in a Lowland Tropical Rainforest of Eastern Borneo.  Biodiversity Conservation 15:4425-4451.