Little kingfisher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little kingfisher |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ceyx
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| Species: |
pusillus
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| Subspecies | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Alcedo pusilla |
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The little kingfisher (Ceyx pusillus) is a tiny and colorful bird. It belongs to the kingfisher family. You can find these birds in places like Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.
Contents
About the Little Kingfisher
Naming the Bird
The little kingfisher got its official name from a Dutch zoologist, Coenraad Jacob Temminck, in 1836. Its scientific name is Ceyx pusillus.
The name Ceyx comes from an old Greek story. It's about a mythical seabird that turned into a kingfisher. The word pusillus is Latin and means 'tiny' or 'very small'. This name fits the bird perfectly because it's one of the smallest kingfishers around!
There are nine different types, or subspecies, of the little kingfisher. Each subspecies lives in a slightly different area. For example, one type lives in southern New Guinea. Another type, called C. p. ramsayi, lives in coastal Northern Territory in Australia. It has a lighter blue color.
What Does It Look Like?
The little kingfisher is a very small bird. It is about 11.5 to 13 centimeters (about 4.5 to 5 inches) long. Its back and head are a shiny, deep blue color. Its chest is bright white, like snow.
This bird has a strong bill and a short tail. Its feet are dark brown. It has a special foot design with only two toes pointing forward. It's one of the smallest kingfishers in the world. Only the African dwarf kingfisher is smaller! Male little kingfishers usually weigh 10 to 15 grams. Females weigh a bit less, about 10 to 14 grams.
Where It Lives
You can find the little kingfisher in different places. It lives in open forests, woodlands, swamps, and areas with mangrove trees. These birds are found in northern Queensland and coastal Northern Territory in Australia. They also live in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. They usually stay in one area and don't move around much.
Little Kingfisher Life
Reproduction and Family Life
During the mating season, little kingfishers build their nests. They dig a small tunnel into the bank of a river. Sometimes, they make their nest in a rotting tree root or inside a termite mound.
The female bird lays 4 or 5 shiny, round, white eggs. Each egg is about 17 by 14 millimeters. Both parents help to feed the young birds. They continue to feed them even after they leave the nest. This goes on for about 9 days or more until the young birds can take care of themselves.
What It Eats
The little kingfisher loves to eat small fish. It also eats crustaceans (like tiny crabs or shrimp). Its diet also includes insect larvae and water-beetles.
To catch its food, the kingfisher sits quietly on a branch near the water. When it spots something, it quickly dives into the water. Then, it flies straight back to its perch with its meal.
Its Voice
The little kingfisher has a high-pitched, squeaky call. It sounds like "tzeit-tzeit." You usually only hear it when the bird is flying very close by.
Protecting the Little Kingfisher
The number of little kingfishers is slowly going down. However, it is still listed as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This means it's not currently in danger of disappearing.
But some types of little kingfishers might be in trouble. For example, if their mangrove habitats are cleared away, it affects them. One subspecies, found in Guadalcanal, hasn't been seen in many years. This shows why it's important to protect their homes.
See also
In Spanish: Martín pescador menudo para niños
