Uncommon – Annual migrant. Look near terrestrial termite nests. Fly low through canopy. Spectacular blue/black/rufous, with long tail. Bill orange-red. Black eye band to nape. Crown, wings, purple-blue. Shoulders blue-black; white back shows as ‘triangle’. Rump white. Tail dark blue, white streamers. Rich rufous underwing culverts and underparts. Legs orange-red. Female: slightly duller; pale buff ‘triangle’, shorter streamers. Size: M 36cm with tail streamers; F 30cm. Juvenile: Face mask indistinct. Dark bill; body brown, blackish striated breast. Very short tail. Immature: Dark bill; crown, wings dull blue; short grey tail. Voice: Repeated rising piping. Descending alarm near trills near nest. Habitat: Lowland rainforest.
Classifications: | Bird, forest and grassland |
Family: | Halcyonidae |
Information sources: | Simpson & Day 7th Ed. |