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The Kingfisher: He Lives Not Only on Fish

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Discover the characteristics and habitats of two subspecies of kingfisher: the common and the sacred. Know their colors and hunting techniques.

birds

Precision and technique in hunting their prey.

Although the Kingfisher gets its reputation from its diet high in fish (65%), amphibian reptiles and insects do not escape their dives from heights in a surprising way or from the branches of trees where it is difficult to perceive.

There are various subspecies scattered throughout almost the entire planet, from Europe, Africa and Australia

Common kingfisher (pictured):

Greenish-blue almost metallic wings and an orange body, it is very difficult to establish an exact pattern of its coloring, but its presence is unmistakable among other birds near the aquiferous areas.

Its black bill also has flashes of orange near the head, and bright red legs are part of the colorful contrasts of this beautiful feather. And curiously, those greenish-blue flashes are what make it use its mimicry technique with bodies of water to make it difficult for its prey to discover.

The common kingfisher lives generally distributed between Europe, Africa and Asia. From where it migrates according to the season, fleeing the cold His life is closely linked to rivers and lakes, as well as in the area of mangrovesTherefore, it is vulnerable to their state, whether it is contamination of tributaries and their disappearance due to industrial and agricultural activity.

The sacred kingfisher:

A medium-sized bird, the sacred kingfisher is about 22 to 23 cm long. The head, shoulders, rump, and tail are dark turquoise, with bright turquoise wings. A wide black stripe runs from its beak to its eyes and down to its neck. There is also a bit of black on their wing feathers, while the feet range from black to dark gray brown. The females are almost similar, but the colors, especially of the upper body, are slightly dull and light. The young birds are also almost similar, but have a rusty brown border on the underside, wings, and collar.

The sacred kingfisher is commonly found throughout the coastal areas of Australia. They can also be found inland, almost throughout Australia, where there are rivers or lakes, except in the driest parts of the continent. They are also found, in slightly smaller numbers, around New Zealand, Tasmania and on the small islands as far as Indonesia. They generally migrate to northern Australia in winter and return south in spring, which is their breeding season.

The Sagrado MartΓ­n Pescador likes to inhabit mangroves, forests, wooded rivers, as well as open forests of eucalyptus and paper bark.
Holy Kingfisher Breeding and Nesting: The Holy Kingfisher is primarily a solitary bird, mating only to reproduce. The breeding season is during the spring and summer. They usually lay two claws in one season.

The male and female cooperate to make a nest. Usually this is found in the hollow branches of dead trees or fence posts, and they are located a few feet above the ground for safety reasons. But sometimes, they also make their nest in a small burrow on the gentle banks of a river or in a termite mound. The nest chamber remains unlined. The female lays 3 to 6 eggs, and both parents take turns hatching them. The male and female also cooperate in the rearing, feeding and defense of their nests and chicks.
Sacred Kingfisher Diet: The sacred kingfisher has a varied diet just like the common kingfisher, it eats insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, crickets and larvae. They also eat small reptiles, fish, and crustaceans. The kingfisher sits motionless on a wire or branch, searching intently for prey and pouncing on them, although it can sometimes hold onto an immovable point in the air and dive towards the surface of the water, where it can steer abruptly to avoid the escape of its prey.

Enjoy the birds in their environment, they were born to be free. Take a camera or some binoculars and enjoy watching them fly and maneuver!

Frequently asked questions from our readers:

The kingfisher is important in ecotourism and conservation due to its role as an indicator of the health of aquatic ecosystems. Their presence in an area indicates the existence of clean and healthy bodies of water, which attracts tourists interested in bird watching and nature. In addition, the kingfisher helps control populations of fish and other aquatic organisms, thus helping to maintain the balance of aquatic ecosystems. Read more here: https://www.equilibriumx.com/ecoturismo-y-conservacion/el-martin-pescador-no-solo-de-pescado-vive
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Last modified: March 22, 2024