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
European Turtle-Dove
Streptopelia turtur
Medium-sized dove with spotted wings, a distinctive striped neck patch and a bold white tip to the rounded tail. Found in wooded and semiopen habitats, especially farmland and heath with hedges and scattered trees. Usually rather shy; seen mainly in flight, but at times perched on utility wires. Feeds on ground, where it may associate with other pigeons. Appreciably smaller and slimmer than much commoner and overall paler Eurasian Collared-Dove. Extremely similar in plumage to Oriental Turtle-Dove, but has less extensive dark centers to the wing feathers and averages pinker on the breast.
Makira Cicadabird
Edolisoma salomonis
Male is light powder-gray with darker wing feathers and tail and a dark patch in front of the eye. Female is powder-gray above and vivid reddish below. Prefers primary forest, and appears to avoid secondary growth and scrub. Common call is a loud “chi-beet” or “pity-you.”
Australian Bustard
Ardeotis australis
Large mostly brown terrestrial bird with long gray neck and black crown, heavy pale legs. About half the size of an Emu. Occurs in open grasslands across most of Australia (except the southeast). Often seen on roadsides.
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