Colonist Kingfisher
Todiramphus colonus
A recently recognized species with a dark greenish back, brighter bluish-green wings, a dark face-mask, a greenish cap, a white collar, and a buffy-orange spot in front of the eye. Bill relatively weak and thin. Found in most habitats, but mainly coastal, preferring mangroves. Very similar to Pacific and Sacred Kingfishers but smaller, with a straighter, less curved bill than both. Lacks buffy underparts of Sacred Kingfisher. Voice little known, but presumably similar to Pacific Kingfisher’s.
Identification
A recently recognized species with a dark greenish back, brighter bluish-green wings, a dark face-mask, a greenish cap, a white collar, and a buffy-orange spot in front of the eye. Bill relatively weak and thin. Found in most habitats, but mainly coastal, preferring mangroves. Very similar to Pacific and Sacred Kingfishers but smaller, with a straighter, less curved bill than both. Lacks buffy underparts of Sacred Kingfisher. Voice little known, but presumably similar to Pacific Kingfisher’s.
Taxonomy
It was formerly considered a subspecies of the Collared kingfisher.
- Scientific name
- Todiramphus colonus
- Authority
- (Hartert, EJO, 1896)
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- Genus
- Todiramphus
Range and habitat
It is endemic to islands in the Louisiade Archipelago, within Papua New Guinea.<p>Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and plantations.
Photos
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