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.
Identification
The flat-billed kingfisher (Todiramphus recurvirostris) is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae. It is endemic to Samoa.
Taxonomy
Genus: Todiramphus; Family: Alcedinidae; Order: Coraciiformes.
- Scientific name
- Todiramphus recurvirostris
- Authority
- Lafresnaye, 1842
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- 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
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Peruvian Meadowlark
Leistes bellicosus
Fairly common in agricultural fields, grassland, even sparse desert scrub in places. Feeds mainly on the ground, at times in small groups, but male sings from prominent perches and in flight. Handsome male is unmistakable, with a bright red breast, white eyebrow, and sharply pointed bill (no similar species occur in the same range). Female and immature can be puzzling, with little or no red, but note chunky overall shape with rather short tail, bill shape, and whitish eyebrow.
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper
Lepidocolaptes affinis
Fairly active, medium-sized woodcreeper of pine, pine-oak, and evergreen forest in highlands. Usually found in ones or twos, often traveling with mixed-species feeding flocks of tanagers, orioles, warblers, and others. Creeps up trunks and smaller branches, often poking into epiphytes. Note the slender, slightly curved bill, fine creamy dots on the crown, and creamy streaking on underparts. Calls are thin, reedy whistles, given infrequently.
Black-legged Kittiwake
Rissa tridactyla
Small oceanic gull. Adults have solid black wingtips that look like they were dipped in ink. Also note translucent flight feathers, entirely yellow bill, and black legs. Nonbreeding birds have a dark ear patch and smudgy gray on the back of the neck. Immatures are boldly patterned with a black collar and “M” pattern on wings. Rather buoyant in flight, sometimes soaring in high arcs in windy conditions. Breeds at high latitudes across the Northern Hemisphere, primarily in large colonies on cliffs and other structures overhanging water. Spends the winter on the open ocean, sometimes seen from shore. Rare inland. Can gather in flocks during migration and winter, especially where food is abundant.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.