Sacred kingfisher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sacred kingfisher |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Sacred Kingfisher (male) (Todiramphus sanctus) |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Binomial name | |
| Todiramphus sanctus |
|
The sacred kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus) is a beautiful, medium-sized bird. It is a type of kingfisher that lives in woodland areas.
These birds make their homes in different places. You can find them in mangroves, forests, and river valleys. They live in Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the western Pacific Ocean. In New Zealand, people also call this bird by its Māori name, Kōtare.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The sacred kingfisher is mostly a bright turquoise color. It has white feathers on its belly and around its neck, like a collar. Both male and female birds look quite similar. However, the females often have slightly duller colors.
Young kingfishers have a bit of a rusty-brown color. This color shows up on the edges of their collar and belly feathers. These birds are about 19 to 23 centimeters (7.5 to 9 inches) long.
What Do They Eat?
Sacred kingfishers are skilled hunters. They eat many different things. Their diet includes insects, small crabs, fish, tiny rodents, and reptiles.
A kingfisher usually sits quietly on a low branch. It waits patiently for its prey to come by. When it spots something, it quickly swoops down to catch it. Then, the bird flies back to its perch to enjoy its meal. They hunt in a way that is a bit like a hawk.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
When a pair of sacred kingfishers decides to have babies, they work together. Both the male and female birds help to dig their nest. The nest is often a burrow dug into a river bank. Sometimes, they use a large, empty tree branch.
The female kingfisher usually lays about five eggs. Both parents take turns sitting on the eggs to keep them warm. This process is called incubation. Once the chicks hatch, both parents also help to feed and care for their young.
Images for kids
-
A sacred kingfisher in Wonga, Queensland, Australia
-
Kingfishers feeding at Pauatahanui Inlet, New Zealand
See also
In Spanish: Alción sagrado para niños
