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==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | Widespread and very common in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia and locally common in south-west Asia. In Africa occurs from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to eastern South Africa. In southern Asia found from north-east Afghanistan south through India to Sri Lanka, east to southern China and Hainan and south to Thailand. Very local in the Western Palearctic breeding in coastal south-west and south Turkey, northern Syria and in Israel and Jordan, formerly also Lebanon. Breeds more commonly in Egypt in the Nile Delta and Valley. Very common in Iraq and extends north along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers into eastern Turkey. | + | Widespread and very common in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia and locally common in south-west Asia. In Africa occurs from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to eastern South Africa. In southern Asia found from north-east Afghanistan south through India to Sri Lanka, east to southern China and Hainan and south to Thailand. Very local in the Western Palearctic breeding in coastal south-west and south Turkey (where it is declining), northern Syria and in Israel and Jordan, formerly also Lebanon. Very recently spread to Cyprus. Breeds more commonly in Egypt in the Nile Delta and Valley. Very common in Iraq and extends north along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers into eastern Turkey. |
Mainly resident but some birds disperse and becomes more widespread in winter in Turkey and the Near East, particularly Lebanon. Rare visitor to Kuwait in winter, and Cyprus where irregular winter visitor from Turkey in October-April. | Mainly resident but some birds disperse and becomes more widespread in winter in Turkey and the Near East, particularly Lebanon. Rare visitor to Kuwait in winter, and Cyprus where irregular winter visitor from Turkey in October-April. | ||
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==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. | ||
| + | ==Fun Fact== | ||
| + | Old results retold in this [[http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/97/24/12948 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. | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Ceryle+rudis}} | {{GSearch|Ceryle+rudis}} | ||
[[Category:Birds]] | [[Category:Birds]] | ||
Revision as of 13:48, 24 May 2007
- Ceryle rudis
Description
Identification
Pied Kingfisher (Lesser Pied Kingfisher)
Distribution
Widespread and very common in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia and locally common in south-west Asia. In Africa occurs from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to eastern South Africa. In southern Asia found from north-east Afghanistan south through India to Sri Lanka, east to southern China and Hainan and south to Thailand. Very local in the Western Palearctic breeding in coastal south-west and south Turkey (where it is declining), northern Syria and in Israel and Jordan, formerly also Lebanon. Very recently spread to Cyprus. Breeds more commonly in Egypt in the Nile Delta and Valley. Very common in Iraq and extends north along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers into eastern Turkey.
Mainly resident but some birds disperse and becomes more widespread in winter in Turkey and the Near East, particularly Lebanon. Rare visitor to Kuwait in winter, and Cyprus where irregular winter visitor from Turkey in October-April.
Vagrants recorded in Greece (5+, mainly in winter), also Poland (August 1859) and France (winter 1990/91) but origins of these birds are uncertain. Three birds were recorded in Montenegro in July 1993, also recorded in Ukraine and Russia.
HABITAT
Lakes, ponds and rivers, also fishes in estuaries and on sheltered seas. Nests in a hole in a bank.
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.
Fun Fact
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.
