# Collared kingfisher

> A blue-green kingfisher with a white collar, often seen in mangroves and on coasts. Numerous subspecies make older names worth checking carefully.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/todiramphus-chloris/ · Updated 7 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/todiramphus-chloris/
_This Markdown mirror is generated at build time from the same data as the HTML page. Cite the HTML page URL and its update date._

**Review status:** Approved by team on 2026-10-07. Approval covers this version’s narrative, facts, quick answers and recorded locations in both languages.

## Quick answer

The collared kingfisher (*Todiramphus chloris*) is a bird in the family Alcedinidae. Range in Indonesia: Coasts and mangroves in parts of Indonesia; range varies by subspecies. Diet: small crabs, shrimp and other prey; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Todiramphus chloris* |
| Indonesian name | Cekakak sungai |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Coasts and mangroves in parts of Indonesia; range varies by subspecies |
| Linked habitats | [Mangroves](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/mangroves/) |
| Field mark | Blue-green upperparts and white collar |
| Habitat | Mangroves and tidal creeks |
| Coastal food | Small crabs, shrimp and other prey |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2475742) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — predator of invertebrates (e.g. insects, crabs) and other small animals · [AVONET bird trait database (Tobias et al. 2022)](https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/AVONET_morphological_ecological_and_geographical_data_for_all_birds_Tobias_et_al_2021_Ecology_Letters_/16586228) |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt) |

## Recognising the collared kingfisher

The collared kingfisher has blue-green upperparts, white underparts, a dark mask around the eyes and a white nape collar. Pattern varies across regions and ages. A sound identification uses bill shape, collar and habitat together, not merely the blue colour shared by other kingfishers.

Evidence: [eBird — Collared Kingfisher identification](https://ebird.org/species/colkin1) · [NParks — Todiramphus chloris identification and habitat](https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/fauna/3/4/34)

## Mangroves and tidal creeks

Bird references and Singapore’s parks agency place this species in mangroves and tidal creeks, although some populations use gardens or other habitats. Vegetation and water edges therefore matter when watching it. One bird perched on a wire does not show that its mangrove habitat is dispensable.

Evidence: [eBird — Collared Kingfisher identification](https://ebird.org/species/colkin1) · [NParks — Todiramphus chloris identification and habitat](https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/fauna/3/4/34)

## Prey differs by place

The Arabian study at Alqurm mangroves in the UAE found crabs dominant in camera and pellet evidence. Observations at one nest in India’s Sundarbans also recorded insects and other prey delivered to chicks. These studies illustrate diet variation and sampling limits; neither measures prey proportions for Indonesian birds.

Evidence: [Yaghmour et al. (2025) — Arabian collared kingfisher diet, abstract](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352249625000060) · [Biswas and Deuti (2025) — one collared kingfisher nest, Indian Sundarbans](https://sisn.pagepress.org/rio/article/view/863)

## A changing taxonomic boundary

Several groups formerly included in Todiramphus chloris have been split as distinct species in modern bird checklists. A name on an old photograph or article should therefore be checked against its location and taxonomy version. The name here follows the catalogued taxon, not a claim that every population looks identical.

Evidence: [Clements Checklist (2015) — Collared Kingfisher split](https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/introduction/updateindex/overview-august-2015/2015-updates-corrections/)

## Recording without approaching nests

Record perches, hunting and tidal conditions from a distance that leaves the bird’s behaviour unchanged. Our advice is to stay on available paths rather than pursue birds through mangrove roots. NParks guidance discourages disturbing nests or publicizing their locations. Dated presence records are useful but cannot replace a planned population survey.

Evidence: [NParks — birdwatching etiquette](https://www.nparks.gov.sg/visit/activities/birdwatching) · [GBIF — what occurrence records document](https://www.gbif.org/data-quality-requirements-occurrences)

## Scientific classification of the Collared kingfisher

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Genus | *Todiramphus* |
| Species | *Todiramphus chloris* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Common questions about the collared kingfisher

### What is the scientific name of the collared kingfisher?

The scientific name of the collared kingfisher is *Todiramphus chloris*, in the family Alcedinidae and the order Coraciiformes. In Indonesian it is called Cekakak sungai.

### What kind of animal is the collared kingfisher?

The collared kingfisher is a bird in the family Alcedinidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a predator of invertebrates (e.g. insects, crabs) and other small animals.

### Where does the collared kingfisher live in Indonesia?

In Indonesia, this guide records the collared kingfisher in: Coasts and mangroves in parts of Indonesia; range varies by subspecies.

Source-supported habitats: [Mangroves](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/mangroves/).

### What does the collared kingfisher eat?

Diet of the collared kingfisher (coastal food): small crabs, shrimp and other prey. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: [AVONET bird trait database (Tobias et al. 2022)](https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/AVONET_morphological_ecological_and_geographical_data_for_all_birds_Tobias_et_al_2021_Ecology_Letters_/16586228).

### How does the collared kingfisher reproduce?

The collared kingfisher reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352).

### Is the collared kingfisher nocturnal?

The cited source records the collared kingfisher as diurnal (active by day). Source: [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt).

See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/).

### What are the main features of the collared kingfisher?

Key features of the collared kingfisher, from this guide’s sources: Field mark: blue-green upperparts and white collar.

### What is the scientific classification of the collared kingfisher?

Scientific classification of the collared kingfisher: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Coraciiformes, family Alcedinidae, genus *Todiramphus*, species *Todiramphus chloris*.

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

### Is the collared kingfisher endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the collared kingfisher is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2475742), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the collared kingfisher is a protected species, consult the current national list of [protected species](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/protected/) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office).

## Sources & references

1. [eBird — Collared Kingfisher identification](https://ebird.org/species/colkin1)
2. [NParks — Todiramphus chloris identification and habitat](https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/fauna/3/4/34)
3. [Yaghmour et al. (2025) — Arabian collared kingfisher diet, abstract](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352249625000060)
4. [Biswas and Deuti (2025) — one collared kingfisher nest, Indian Sundarbans](https://sisn.pagepress.org/rio/article/view/863)
5. [Clements Checklist (2015) — Collared Kingfisher split](https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/introduction/updateindex/overview-august-2015/2015-updates-corrections/)
6. [NParks — birdwatching etiquette](https://www.nparks.gov.sg/visit/activities/birdwatching)
7. [GBIF — what occurrence records document](https://www.gbif.org/data-quality-requirements-occurrences)
8. [AVONET bird trait database (Tobias et al. 2022)](https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/AVONET_morphological_ecological_and_geographical_data_for_all_birds_Tobias_et_al_2021_Ecology_Letters_/16586228)
9. [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352)
10. [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt)
11. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Keep exploring

- [Mangroves](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/mangroves/)
- [Yellow-vented bulbul](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/pycnonotus-goiavier/)
- [Eurasian tree sparrow](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/passer-montanus/)

---

Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Collared kingfisher. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/todiramphus-chloris/