Hook-billed kingfisher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hook-billed kingfisher |
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The hook-billed kingfisher (Melidora macrorrhina) is a unique bird. It lives in the lowland forests of New Guinea and some nearby islands. This special kingfisher is the only member of its group, called Melidora.
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About the Hook-billed Kingfisher
Scientists give every living thing a special name. This helps them organize and study nature. The hook-billed kingfisher was first officially described in 1827. A French scientist named René Lesson gave it the name Dacelo macrorrhina.
Later, in 1830, Lesson created a new group just for this bird. He called this group Melidora. The name Melidora might come from old Greek words meaning "yellow spear." The second part of its scientific name, macrorrhina, means "long nose" in old Greek. This name fits because of its unique bill!
There are three slightly different types, or subspecies, of the hook-billed kingfisher:
- M. m. waigiuensis – found on Waigeo Island
- M. m. macrorrhina – lives in west, central, and east New Guinea, and on Misool and Batanta Islands
- M. m. jobiensis – found in north New Guinea and on Yapen Island
What Does It Look Like?
The hook-billed kingfisher is a sturdy, medium-sized bird. It is about 27 centimeters (10.6 inches) long. It weighs between 85 and 110 grams (3 to 3.9 ounces).
This kingfisher has a long, white stripe just below its eyes. Its belly is white, and its feet are a dull yellow color.
You might hear this bird more than you see it! It usually calls and sings at night. Its most common call is a long whistle. This is followed by a series of shorter, higher-pitched notes.
Life and Habits
Reproduction and Nesting
Hook-billed kingfishers are clever builders. They dig out a nest chamber inside active termite nests. These nests are usually found high up in trees, about 3 to 6 meters (10 to 20 feet) off the ground.
A female kingfisher lays two white eggs. The eggs hatch at different times, not all at once. The male bird helps to keep the eggs warm. He also helps to care for the young birds after they hatch.
What It Eats
This kingfisher mostly eats insects and frogs. It has a special way of finding food. It might dig into the soil with its bill. This is similar to how the shovel-billed kookaburra searches for its prey.
