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The species Guam Kingfisher is extinct in the wild. |
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- Todiramphus cinnamominus
Identification
20 cm (7¾ in). A rather small Kingfisher.
- Rufous head and underparts
- Black eyestripe
- Blue-green back, rump, wings and tail
- Dark bill with horn-coloured base of lower mandible
- Black legs and feet
Females have white lower breast and belly. Juveniles show a pale rufous throat, a buff belly and dusky markings on breast.
Distribution
Formerly on Guam (Mariana Island) and possibly on Miyako-Jima (Ryukyu Islands).
Extinct in the wild on Guam in 1986 due to the introduction of the Brown Tree-Snake.
Taxonomy
Formerly considered conspecific with Pohnpei Kingfisher and Rusty-capped Kingfisher under the name Micronesian Kingfisher.
This is a monotypic species[1].
The supposed subspecies T. c. miyakoensis supposedly on Miyako-Jima (Ryukyu Islands) is known only from one specimen and is no longer considered valid.
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
Breeding season from December to July. Nests in cavities in a tall tree or a coconut palm. Lays 2 eggs.
Movements
Probably a sedentary species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2022. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2022. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gill, F, D Donsker, and P Rasmussen (Eds). 2023. IOC World Bird List (v 13.1)_red. Doi 10.14344/IOC.ML.13.1. 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. (2025) Guam Kingfisher. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 3 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Guam_Kingfisher
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
