Numfor paradise kingfisher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Numfor paradise kingfisher |
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Tanysiptera
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carolinae
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The Numfor paradise kingfisher (Tanysiptera carolinae) is a beautiful bird also known as the cobalt paradise kingfisher. It's a type of tree kingfisher that lives only on the Indonesian island of Numfor. This island is located off the northwestern coast of New Guinea. Even though it's a common bird, the forests where it lives are being cut down. Because of this, the IUCN says it is "near-threatened", meaning it could be at risk in the future.
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What Does the Numfor Paradise Kingfisher Look Like?
The Numfor paradise kingfisher is about 34 to 38 centimeters (13 to 15 inches) long, including its very long tail. Both male and female birds look alike. Their upper bodies are a pretty purplish-blue color. Their undersides are also purplish-blue. However, their lower back, rump (bottom), and tail are white.
This bird has brown eyes and a bright red beak. Its legs and feet are greenish-brown. Young kingfishers look a bit different. They have duller purple-blue feathers and their undersides are a mix of reddish-brown and light yellow. They also have a white rump and a blackish tail. People say its voice sounds like the call of the common cuckoo.
Where Does the Numfor Paradise Kingfisher Live?
The Numfor paradise kingfisher lives only on Numfor Island. This island is about 335 square kilometers (129 square miles) in size. It's part of the Biak Island group, located near Papua Province, Indonesia.
These birds like to live in forests and light woodlands. You can also find them in farm areas and along the coast. Scientists believe these kingfishers came from a few T. galatea birds that flew to Numfor Island a long time ago. Once they arrived, they became separated from other kingfishers on the mainland. Over time, these isolated birds changed and developed into a new species.
What Does the Numfor Paradise Kingfisher Eat?
The Numfor paradise kingfisher mainly eats snails. It also enjoys large insects like grasshoppers and beetles. Not much is known about how these specific birds behave or live. However, experts think they act very similarly to the common paradise kingfisher. That bird lives on the mainland of New Guinea.
Why Is This Bird Near-Threatened?
The biggest problem for the Numfor paradise kingfisher is the logging happening on Numfor Island. Many forests are being cut down to make space for farms. Even though the bird is still common, it's not clear if it can live well in these new, changed areas. Experts worry that the number of these birds is slowly going down. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed it as a "near-threatened species". This means we need to keep an eye on them to make sure their population doesn't drop too much.
