- Todiramphus reichenbachii
Identification
20 cm. A rather small Kingfisher.
- Rufous cap
- Greenish-black mask extending as thin band on hindneck
- Broat white collar on neck
- Blue-green back, rump, wings and tail
- White face and underparts
- Black bill with horn-coloured base of lower mandible
- Black legs and feet
Juveniles undescribed.
Distribution
Endemic to Pohnpei (Eastern Caroline Islands).
A restricted-range species.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Formerly considered conspecific with Rusty-capped 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
The nest is placed in an excavated hole in nests of arboreal termites. Two broods a year common, sometimes three adults participate in nest construction.
Movements
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) Pohnpei Kingfisher. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 27 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Pohnpei_Kingfisher
