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Difference between revisions of "Pied Kingfisher" - BirdForum Opus

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(Some deleted text replaced. References)
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[[Image:Pied Kingfisher9.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Scottishdude|Scottishdude}}<br/> [[Gambia]]  March,  2010]]
 
;[[: Category:Ceryle|Ceryle]] rudis
 
;[[: Category:Ceryle|Ceryle]] rudis
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[[Image:Pied Kingfisher9.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Scottishdude|Scottishdude}}<br/> [[Gambia]]  March,  2010]]
 
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
 
L. 25 cm<br />
 
L. 25 cm<br />
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Black-and-white plumage.
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*Black-and-white plumage.
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His crown feathers form a short crest.
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*His crown feathers form a short crest.
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The male has a double and the female a single breast band.
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*The male has a double and the female a single breast band.
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He is often to be seen in the open.
 
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He hovers and dives from a height to catch fish.
 
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
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Sub-Saharan [[Africa]] and southern [[Asia]].
 
 
[[Image:MG 0001a 7 .jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|steven(sa)|steven(sa)}}<br />]]
 
[[Image:MG 0001a 7 .jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|steven(sa)|steven(sa)}}<br />]]
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Widespread and very common in sub-Saharan [[Africa]] and southern [[Asia]] and locally common in south-west Asia.
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In Africa occurs from [[Senegal]] east to [[Ethiopia]] and south to eastern [[South Africa]].
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In southern Asia found from north-east [[Afghanistan]] south through [[India]] to [[Sri Lanka]], east to southern [[China]] and Hainan and south to [[Thailand]].
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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.
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Mainly resident but some birds disperse and becomes more widespread in winter in Turkey and the Near East, particularly Lebanon.
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'''Rare''' visitor to [[Kuwait]] in winter, and [[Cyprus]] where irregular winter visitor from Turkey in October-April.
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'''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]].
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
 
Four races recognised, differing in size and amount of black in plumage.
 
Four races recognised, differing in size and amount of black in plumage.
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Lakes, ponds and rivers, also fishes in estuaries and on sheltered seas.  
 
Lakes, ponds and rivers, also fishes in estuaries and on sheltered seas.  
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
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Often seen in the open; hovers and dives from a height to catch fish.
 
====Breeding====
 
====Breeding====
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Nests in a hole in a bank. 3-6 white eggs are laid.
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Nests in a hole in a bank. The clutch consists of 3-6 white eggs.
 
====Diet====
 
====Diet====
 
Includes fish, crustaceans and large aquatic insects.
 
Includes fish, crustaceans and large aquatic insects.
 
==Discussion==
 
==Discussion==
 
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 unpalatable 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.  
 
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 unpalatable 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.  
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==References==
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#Absolute Astronomy
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{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 
{{GSearch|Ceryle+rudis}}
 
{{GSearch|Ceryle+rudis}}
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<br />
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[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Ceryle]]
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{{Video|Pied_Kingfisher}}
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[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Ceryle]] [[Category:Videos]]

Revision as of 20:49, 8 June 2010

Photo by Scottishdude
Gambia March, 2010
Ceryle rudis

Identification

L. 25 cm

  • Black-and-white plumage.
  • His crown feathers form a short crest.
  • The male has a double and the female a single breast band.

Distribution

Photo by steven(sa)

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.

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

Often seen in the open; hovers and dives from a height to catch fish.

Breeding

Nests in a hole in a bank. The clutch consists of 3-6 white eggs.

Diet

Includes fish, crustaceans and large aquatic insects.

Discussion

Old results retold in this [link] indicate that the body of a Pied Kingfisher is unpalatable 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.

References

  1. Absolute Astronomy

Recommended Citation

External Links


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