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Mariana Kingfisher
jmorlan

Mariana Kingfisher (Todiramphus albicilla albicilla)

Appears to be new to the gallery. Image added to Opus. These kingfishers were common in a variety of wooded habitats. We often saw them perching on power lines. This species has recently been split from the widespread Collared Kingfisher (T. chloris) also known as Mangrove Kingfisher or White-collared Kingfisher. Older references place these birds in the genus Halcyon. The new split is based on a genetic study by Andersen et al (2015) who found that the Mariana Kingfisher is actually more closely related to the Beach Kingfisher (T. saurophagus) than to Collared Kingfisher. Beach and Mariana both look quite different from Collared Kingfisher in that they are mostly white headed. As seen here, Mariana Kingfisher's crown and nape are white contrasting with dark lores, ear-coverts and a horizontal nape mark. Some birds showed more extensive dusky crown streaking, possibly a sign of immaturity. This split has been accepted by Clements et al. (2019) and Gill & Donsker (2019), but not by Woodall (2019) or Christides et al (2018). The new taxonomy gives the Marianas a new endemic. There are three subspecies of which Saipan birds are representative of the paler nominate race.
Location
WW II Memorials, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Date taken
8 September 2019
Scientific name
Todiramphus albicilla albicilla
Equipment used
Canon PowerShot SX60 HS
A very attractive bird and a great shot, Joseph.
 

Media information

Category
Asia, Australia & Pacific Islands
Added by
jmorlan
Date added
View count
41
Comment count
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