Forest Kingfisher
Todiramphus macleayii
Forest-living kingfisher with a white belly and vibrant multi-tone blue wings and back. Note bright white spot in front of the eyes that does not extend back over the eye. In flight shows diagnostic large white wing panels. Often perches prominently, including on powerlines and trees.
Identification
The forest kingfisher measures 21.5–25.5 cm (8.5–10.0 in) in length and the male weighs 32–43 g (1.1–1.5 oz) while the female weighs 29–44 g (1.0–1.6 oz). It has blue wings, head and tail with white breast, abdomen and nape. It has a white patch in front of the eyes and a black band stretching from the bill, through the eyes to the ear coverts. A white patch is visible on the wings in flight. The female is distinguished by a blue rather than white nape. The iris is dark brown and the legs and feet dark grey. Immature birds are duller with a blackish crown. The call is a shrill t-reek, repeated regularly, most often in the early morning.
Taxonomy
The forest kingfisher was first described by the naturalists Sir William Jardine and Prideaux John Selby in 1830. It was known for many years by its old scientific name of Halcyon macleayi before being transferred to the genus Todiramphus. The generic name is derived from the genus Todus (Brisson, 1760), 'tody' (a West Indian insectivorous bird) and Ancient Greek rhamphos, 'bill'. The specific epithet honours the Scottish entomologist and Colonial Secretary to New South Wales Alexander Macleay (1767–1848).<p>Three subspecies are recognised:
- Scientific name
- Todiramphus macleayii
- Authority
- (Jardine & Selby, 1830)
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- Genus
- Todiramphus
Range and habitat
The forest kingfisher is native to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Australia, where it is found on or near the Australian coastline from Port Stephens in New South Wales northwards to Cape York and westwards across the Top End. It is a summer visitor in the southern parts of its range in New South Wales and southern Queensland; elsewhere it is resident all year round.<p>As its name suggests, it inhabits subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, and subtropical or tropical mangrove forest and Melaleuca swampland.
- Breeding range
- AU : se New Guinea and nc, e Australia
- Non-breeding range
- to se Moluccas and s New Guinea
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
The forest kingfisher hunts invertebrates, such as bugs, beetles, grasshoppers, spiders, dragonflies, cicadas, ants, adult and larval butterflies, and worms, as well as small fish, frogs and tadpoles, lizards, and snakes. The forest kingfisher watches from a high perch, dives to the ground or water to seize its prey (sally-pouncing), then returns directly to the perch. It often kills prey by hitting it against a branch after seizing it.<p>Breeding season is August to February in Australia with often two broods raised. The nest is a short burrow into a round chamber within an arboreal termite nest, around 4–12 m (13–39 ft) above the ground. Three to six (usually 4 or 5) white shiny eggs are laid, measuring 25 mm × 22 mm (0.98 in × 0.87 in). Both parents (and possibly any helpers present) incubate the eggs for 18 to 21 days. The fledging period is 27 to 31 days and fledglings are fed for around a month before they leave the nest.
Conservation
Although the population trend of the forest kingfisher is decreasing, it is classed as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Gray-sided Scimitar-Babbler
Erythrogenys swinhoei
A large scimitar-babbler found in the upper regions of hilly and montane forest. Upper body is uniformly warm orange-brown, and underparts are white with a light spattering of black streaks and spots on the throat and chest. Though shy and skulky, this species often gives away its position in thick scrub with a soft, hooting, two-note call.
Kafa White-eye
Zosterops kaffensis
A small, sharp-billed warbler-like bird. Note the yellow throat and broad white spectacles around the eyes. The birds in the southwestern Ethiopian part of the range have yellow underparts, while in northern Kenya, the underparts are gray. Found in montane forest, scrub, cultivated areas, and lush gardens, usually in hyperactive flocks. Similar to Abyssinian White-eye, but shows a broader eye-ring. Most common call is a high-pitched rising rattle. The song is a subdued, chatty sequence of “chew” notes.
Yellow-billed Cardinal
Paroaria capitata
A sleek bird with a gray back, white chest and collar, and a bright red head. Immatures look similar to adults, but are brown instead of red. Similar to Red-crested Cardinal, but lacks a crest. Associated with waterside habitats such as forested marshes, flooded fields, riparian scrub and forest, and wooded lakeshores. Relatively tolerant of human disturbance and can be found in waterside towns and cities. Forages on the ground in pairs or flocks. Song is a repetitive ‘chew-wee-chew’ and call is a nasal ‘wee’. Native to South America; introduced to the Hawaiian Islands.
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