Chattering kingfisher

Appearance

It resembles the collared kingfisher but is smaller and lacks any rust colour in the plumage. The breast and throat is white, and the back, wings and crown are blue-green (although the crown of the Atiu subspecies is almost entirely white). It can be told from the Tahiti kingfisher by the complete white collar.

Distribution

Geography

Biogeographical realms

Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests and tropical moist montane forest. The species prefers primary forest in montane valleys, but will move into secondary growth and old plantations. The species has an uneven distribution and is rare in some locations; a survey of the island of Tahiti found none between 1986 and 1991, although it had been reported on the island in the past. Nevertheless, it is not considered threatened with extinction by the IUCN.

Diet and Nutrition

The chattering kingfisher lives singly or in pairs and feeds on insects and lizards taken on the wing or from the ground. The species nests in tree cavities.

References

1. Chattering kingfisher Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chattering_kingfisher
2. Chattering kingfisher on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22683479/156621538
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/442621

More Fascinating Animals to Learn About