Ultramarine Kingfisher
Todiramphus leucopygius
A distinctive medium-sized blue-and-white kingfisher with a prominent dark mask, blue crown, bright white neck and underparts, blue wings and back, and reddish undertail. Male has a white rump. Found in primary and secondary forest up to 2000 meters of elevation, often on forest edge. Combination of extensive dark mask and red undertail are diagnostic. Voice is a loud, attention-grabbing “kidek-kidek-kidek.”
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Todiramphus leucopygius
- Authority
- (Verreaux, J, 1858)
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- Genus
- Todiramphus
Range and habitat
It is found on Bougainville Island and the Solomon Islands.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Spotted Elachura
Elachura formosa
Tiny wrenlike skulker with a large-headed and short-tailed profile. Brown overall with galaxy-like white spotting across the body and thick brick-red barring on the wings and tail. Difficult to see; almost always detected by its song, a drawn-out series of high chinking notes; responsive to whistled imitations, but very shy regardless and only infrequently breaks cover. Typically found in hilly forests, particularly next to well-shaded small streams and other damp areas.
White-faced Storm-Petrel
Pelagodroma marina
Striking white-bodied storm-petrel with distinctive flight style: glides on stiff wings and bounces across the sea surface with both feet, much like a hopping kangaroo. Plumage also unique; look for mostly white face with dark mask. Also note extremely long legs projecting far beyond tail and rather long, slender bill. Fairly common and widespread in subtropical and tropical waters across the globe, with several disjunct and subtly variable populations. Can be seen singly or in groups when feeding; rarely mixes with other species of storm-petrel.
Hardhead
Aythya australis
Chocolate brown diving duck with white rump and large white panels in the wings. Male has white eyes. Female is slightly paler with dusky eyes. Similar to Musk and Blue-billed Ducks, but Hardhead sits higher in the water, has a white patch on the rump, and lacks a spiky tail.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.