Alternative name: Palau Kingfisher
- Todiramphus pelewensis
Identification
20 cm. A rather small Kingfisher.
- Orange-rufous cap
- Black eyestripe extending as thin line across nape
- Broat white collar on neck
- Dark blue-green back, rump and wings
- White neck and underparts
- Blackish-brown tail with broad green-blue outer fringes
- Greyish black bill with horn-coloured base of lower mandible
- Black legs and feet
Sexes similar. Juveniles show a pale rufous throat and a buff belly.
Distribution
Endemic to Palau Islands (Babeldaop south to Peleliu).
A restricted-range species, still rather common on larger islands.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Formerly considered conspecific with Pohnpei Kingfisher and Guam Kingfisher under the name Micronesian Kingfisher.
Habitat
Forests, mangrove swamps, large gardens, coconut palms and woodland in general.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on insects. Takes also skinks and geckos.
Perches on a low branch or wire, looking out for prey.
Breeding
Undescribed.
Movements
Probably a sedentary species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2015. IOC World Bird Names (version 5.4). Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/.
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved October 2015)
- Birdforum thread discussing this taxon both from taxonomic and identification angles
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Rusty-capped Kingfisher. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 23 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Rusty-capped_Kingfisher
