Javan Blue-banded Kingfisher & Other Birds from Pekalongan, Central Java

Javan Blue-banded Kingfisher (Alcedo euryzona) is one of the endemic kingfisher in Java island. Described by Temminck on 1830 from the island. On IUCN-redlist, this species listed as Critically Endangered (CR) that remaining population assumed to be fewer than 250 mature individuals.

There are only a few new records since 1930 of Halimun Salak NP, West Java. Then, in 2018 we heard news from our friend that he found the bird in Pekalongan, Central Java. it became an eastern record for the Javan Blue-banded Kingfisher on the island of Java.

Finally we have a chance to go there, invited by Wawan from SwaraOwa. We were invited to share our knowledge about avitourism to the local communities and villager around the site.

SwaraOwa has since 2007 conducted research on primates especially Javan Gibbon at this location, as well as mentoring local communities to reduce pressure on forests by providing a sustainable green economy.

So, 5th July 2019 we arrived in the location at night from Jogja. We stayed on one of the villager.

On the next day, i went to river just about 500 meter from the house i stayed with Imam to looking this kingfisher.

Until noon we did not see it, then we back to the house for break and then attended discussion section with locals.

We have fullday birding on the rest day spent in the location (07-11 July 2019, off on 09 July 2019).

Adin joined on 07 July 2019, we focused to looking Javan Blue-banded Kingfisher. Waiting in the river, hiding with just big rock that so plenty in there. Finally, at around 11.00 am the male birds flush from upstream then perched on the rock 100 meters away from our hiding. It was stayed just about 2 minutes before it fly to the downstream.

We followed it to the downstream 1 Km