Stork-billed Kingfisher

Stork-billed Kingfisher

Taxobox
name = Stork-billed Kingfisher


image_width = 200px
image_caption = Stork-billed Kingfisher from South India
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Coraciiformes
familia = Halcyonidae
genus = "Pelargopsis"
species = "P. capensis"
binomial = "Pelargopsis capensis"
binomial_authority = (Linnaeus, 1766)
synonyms = "Halcyon capensis"

The Stork-billed Kingfisher, "Pelargopsis capensis" (formerly "Halcyon capensis"), is a tree kingfisher which is widely but sparsely distributed in tropical south Asia from India and Sri Lanka to Indonesia. This kingfisher is essentially resident throughout its range.

This is a very large kingfisher, 35 cm in length. The adult has a green back, blue wings and tail, and grey head. Its underparts and neck are buff. The very large bill and legs are bright red. The flight of the Stork-billed Kingfisher is laboured and flapping, but direct. Sexes are similar. There are 15 races, mostly differing in plumage detail, but "P. c. gigantea" of the Sulu Islands has a white head, neck and underparts. The call of this noisy kingfisher is a low and far reaching "peer-por-por" repeated every 5 seconds or so as well cackling "ke-ke-ke-ke-ke-ke".

Stork-billed Kingfisher is a species of a variety of well-wooded habitats near lakes, rivers or coasts. It perches quietly whilst seeking food, and is often inconspicuous despite its size. It is territorial and will chase away eagles and other large predators. This species hunts fish, frogs, crabs, rodents and young birds.

Stork-billed Kingfisher digs its nest in a river bank, decaying tree, or a tree termite nest. A clutch of two to five round white eggs is typical.

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
*

Gallery


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • stork-billed kingfisher — gandrasnapis pelargopsis statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Pelargopsis capensis angl. stork billed kingfisher vok. Storchschnabelliest, m rus. аистоклювый гуриал, m pranc. martin chasseur gurial, m ryšiai: platesnis… …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • stork-billed kingfisher — ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun : any of various long tailed kingfishers (genus Pelargopsis) of southeastern Asia and the East Indies having a sharp pointed bill with the culmen ridged at the base …   Useful english dictionary

  • Tree kingfisher — Taxobox name = Tree Kingfishers image caption = Woodland Kingfisher ( Halcyon senegalensis ) image width = 200px regnum = Animalia phylum = Chordata classis = Aves ordo = Coraciiformes familia = Halcyonidae subdivision ranks = Genera subdivision …   Wikipedia

  • List of Asian birds — This list of Asian birds is a listing of all the bird species known from the continent of Asia.NotesThe taxonomy of this list adheres to James Clements Birds of the World: A Checklist , and reflects all changes to that work until July, 2005.… …   Wikipedia

  • List of birds of India — This is a list of the bird species recorded in India. The avifauna of India includes a total of 1301 species, of which 42 are endemic, 1 has been introduced by humans, and 26 are rare or accidental. One species has been extirpated in India and 82 …   Wikipedia

  • List of birds of Burma — This is a list of the bird species recorded in Burma. The avifauna of Burma includes a total of 1062 species, of which 6 are endemic, 2 have been introduced by humans, and 10 are rare or accidental. 1 species listed is extirpated in Burma and is… …   Wikipedia

  • List of birds of Bangladesh — This is a list of the bird species recorded in Bangladesh. The avifauna of Bangladesh includes a total of 746 species, of which 1 has been introduced by humans, and 7 are rare or accidental. 8 species listed are extirpated in Bangladesh and are… …   Wikipedia

  • List of birds of Vietnam — This is a list of the bird species recorded in Vietnam. The avifauna of Vietnam includes a total of 848 species, of which 13 are endemic, 3 have been introduced by humans, and 9 are rare or accidental. 1 species listed is extirpated in Vietnam… …   Wikipedia

  • List of birds of Malaysia — This is a list of the bird species recorded in Malaysia. The avifauna of Malaysia includes a total of 781 species, of which 10 are endemic, 3 have been introduced by humans, and 10 are rare or accidental. 45 species are globally threatened.This… …   Wikipedia

  • List of birds of Nepal — This is a list of the bird species recorded in Nepal. The avifauna of Nepal includes a total of 900 species, of which 2 are endemic, 1 has been introduced by humans, and 74 are rare or accidental. 32 species are globally threatened.This list s… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”