Flat-billed Kingfisher
Todiramphus recurvirostris
A compact kingfisher with a comparatively short, shallow, wide bill. Has deep blue wings, a greenish-blue back, and a blue cap with buffy white in front of the eye that narrows above it to form an eyebrow. Underparts washed cinnamon. Found in most habitats, even urban parks and gardens. Local subspecies of Pacific Kingfisher is larger, with a noticeably heavier, thicker bill and much cleaner white underparts. Flat-billed’s voice is a series of short, sharp “kik” notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Todiramphus recurvirostris
- Authority
- Lafresnaye, 1842
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Halcyonidae
- Genus
- Todiramphus
Range and habitat
Flat-billed kingfishers are found on the islands of Upolu and Savai'i in lowland and coastal areas. They were found not found in upland forests above 1,200m, most likely because food items become increasingly scarce with increased elevation.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Like other species of kingfishers, the flat-billed kingfisher eats a variety of different food sources. However, they appear to be somewhat reliant on large insects and reptiles as part of their diet.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Tuamotu Sandpiper
Prosobonia parvirostris
A small, very dark brown shorebird with a very short thin bill and a distinct white eyebrow. Upperparts spotted with buff, underside spotted or barred with brown. Legs yellow or grayish. In flight, looks very dark with very rounded wings. Prefers coastal shoreline and bare gravel of tiny atolls. Combination of odd proportions, very short thin bill, and white eyebrow should make this species unmistakable. Most common call is a nasal “kek,” but when excited gives a loud piping whistle and a series of rising and falling trills.
Madagascar Snipe
Gallinago macrodactyla
Chunky, cryptic, short-legged, long-billed shorebird. Found in thickly vegetated wetlands, including rice fields, in eastern and central Madagascar. Most often seen when it flushes explosively, often giving a rough “trik” call. Display vocalization is a long accelerating series of “kik” notes. Larger than Greater Painted-Snipe, with a much longer bill and duller belly. Distinctive snipe shape separates it from all other shorebirds in its range.
White-tufted Grebe
Rollandia rolland
Widespread and often fairly common small dark grebe of lakes, ponds, wetlands; also river mouths and coastal waters, mainly in winter. Like all grebes dives well and can stay underwater for a long time. No similar species in range. Handsome breeding birds have a bold white “fan” on the sides of the head. Immature and nonbreeding birds have a dark cap and a streaked whitish face. Falkland population is larger and blacker, and is likely a different species.
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