6 thoughts on “Blue-black Kingfisher (Todiramphus nigrocyaneus)”
The blue-black kingfisher subspecies Todiramphus nigrocyaneus nigrocyaneus has been found in healthy numbers in the Tambrauw region of West Papua. Recent observations from trip reports from the region reveal a stable local population, suggesting the species is more widespread there than earlier records indicated. The Tambrauw region is now an important stronghold for the species and underscores the importance of protecting its riparian habitats to ensure the kingfisher’s continued recovery.
The subspecies (Todiramphus nigrocyaneus quadricolor) is still considered uncommon and in less numbers than before in its range in Northern New Guinea. For Yapen island there is not much information about the status of this subspecies.
We have received the following comment via email from Stijn Cooleman:
‘I’ve observed Blue-black Kingfisher twice in the Malagufuk area on 2025-07-21:
• 2 (seen and heard) at point locality with GPS coordinates -0.82294, 131.64914 (at 8:41 AM) and photograph by some fellow travellers;
• 1 (seen) at point locality with GPS coordinates -0.80522, 131.64934 (at 3:24 PM).
Those two observations were the only encounters of that Kingfisher species during this birding trip during July 2025 in northern parts of West Papua (incl. visits to Sentani – Nimbokrang area). Papuan Harrier wasn’t observed unfortunately, nor Forest Bittern.’
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 2 February 2026. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List category on this page on 2 February 2026, when discussions will re-open.
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2026 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classification outlined in the initial forum discussion.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 8 February 2026, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2026 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites later this year, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret the information, and a final decision on this species’ Red List category will be posted on this page on 16 February 2026.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Blue-black Kingfisher is recommended to be listed as Least Concern.
Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the 2026.1 GTB Forum process. The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites later this year, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
The blue-black kingfisher subspecies Todiramphus nigrocyaneus nigrocyaneus has been found in healthy numbers in the Tambrauw region of West Papua. Recent observations from trip reports from the region reveal a stable local population, suggesting the species is more widespread there than earlier records indicated. The Tambrauw region is now an important stronghold for the species and underscores the importance of protecting its riparian habitats to ensure the kingfisher’s continued recovery.
The subspecies (Todiramphus nigrocyaneus quadricolor) is still considered uncommon and in less numbers than before in its range in Northern New Guinea. For Yapen island there is not much information about the status of this subspecies.
We have received the following comment via email from Stijn Cooleman:
‘I’ve observed Blue-black Kingfisher twice in the Malagufuk area on 2025-07-21:
• 2 (seen and heard) at point locality with GPS coordinates -0.82294, 131.64914 (at 8:41 AM) and photograph by some fellow travellers;
• 1 (seen) at point locality with GPS coordinates -0.80522, 131.64934 (at 3:24 PM).
Those two observations were the only encounters of that Kingfisher species during this birding trip during July 2025 in northern parts of West Papua (incl. visits to Sentani – Nimbokrang area). Papuan Harrier wasn’t observed unfortunately, nor Forest Bittern.’
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 2 February 2026. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List category on this page on 2 February 2026, when discussions will re-open.
Preliminary proposal
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2026 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classification outlined in the initial forum discussion.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 8 February 2026, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2026 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites later this year, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret the information, and a final decision on this species’ Red List category will be posted on this page on 16 February 2026.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Blue-black Kingfisher is recommended to be listed as Least Concern.
Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the 2026.1 GTB Forum process. The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites later this year, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.