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| − | ;Ceryle rudis | + | ;[[: Category:Ceryle|Ceryle]] rudis |
[[Image:Pied_Kingfisher.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by wim de groot<br/>Location: Gambia]] | [[Image:Pied_Kingfisher.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by wim de groot<br/>Location: Gambia]] | ||
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Sub-Saharan [[Africa]] and southern [[Asia]]. | Sub-Saharan [[Africa]] and southern [[Asia]]. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | Four races recognised, differing in size and amount of black in plumage. Nominate race occurs in Africa and south-west Asia, ''leucomelanura'' in most of Asian range, ''travancoreensis'' in south-west India and ''insignis'' in southern China and Hainan. | + | Four races recognised, differing in size and amount of black in plumage. Nominate race occurs in Africa and south-west Asia, ''leucomelanura'' in most of Asian range, ''travancoreensis'' in south-west [[India]] and ''insignis'' in southern [[China]] and Hainan. |
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
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{{GSearch|Ceryle+rudis}} | {{GSearch|Ceryle+rudis}} | ||
*[http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&Bird_ID=374&Bird_Image_ID=57&Bird_Family_ID=76 View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages] | *[http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&Bird_ID=374&Bird_Image_ID=57&Bird_Family_ID=76 View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages] | ||
| − | [[Category:Birds]] | + | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Ceryle]] |
Revision as of 01:02, 6 April 2008
- Ceryle rudis
Identification
L. 25 cm
Black-and-white plumage.
Distribution
Sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia.
Taxonomy
Four races recognised, differing in size and amount of black in plumage. Nominate race occurs in Africa and south-west Asia, leucomelanura in most of Asian range, travancoreensis in south-west India and insignis in southern China and Hainan.
Habitat
Lakes, ponds and rivers, also fishes in estuaries and on sheltered seas.
Behaviour
Breeding
Nests in a hole in a bank. 3-6 white eggs are laid.
Diet
Includes fish, crustaceans and large aquatic insects.
Discussion
Old results retold in this [link] indicate that the body of a Pied Kingfisher is impalatable to for example a hornet. This would imply some kind of toxic substance; it has been speculated that this might help the bird survive because it discourages predators.
