How long have kingfishers been around?

How long have kingfishers been around?

Fossil kingfishers have been described from Lower Eocene rocks in Wyoming and Middle Eocene rocks in Germany, around 30–40 million years ago. More recent fossil kingfishers have been described in the Miocene rocks of Australia (5–25 million years old).

Is there a white kingfisher?

White-collared kingfishers have a turquoise head and wings with a broad, white collar bordered by a narrow, black line. They have white chest feathers, black feet and bill. Males tend to have a slightly more blue tinge, while females tend to have a slightly more green tinge.

Is collared kingfisher rare?

Conservation status With a very wide distribution and common to abundant population, the collared kingfisher is classed as least concern on the IUCN Red List.

Why collared kingfisher are endangered?

A species of the collared kingfisher unique to the UAE and Oman is in danger of extinction because development has destroyed much of its mangrove habitat. But the blue-and-white collared kingfisher, which does not have the conservation status of marine turtles and Arabian oryx, is endangered.

How many kingfisher species are there?

120 species
There are around 120 species of kingfishers found all around the world, except for the polar regions. Most species of kingfisher are found in Australia, Asia, and Africa in wooded tropical areas near water. Six species are found in the New World.

Where are white throated kingfisher found?

While the bird can be found in our backyards, it is often found on riverbanks, wetlands, paddy fields, groves, open jungles, dry cultivation zones, and in gardens. Near the water, it occasionally dives for fish, but mostly uses its hunting prowess for frogs, tadpoles, and water insects.

Are kingfisher birds rare in India?

It is rare in India, but may be found in the foothills of the Himalayas in the North-Eastern parts. It can be found along streams in forests. This species derives its name from the zoologist, Edward Blyth.

Where is collared kingfisher?

The collared kingfisher species are distributed in India, Red Sea region, Persian Gulf area, Bangladesh, southeast Asia, several Pacific islands and Australia….Collared kingfisher.

Overview & Quick Facts	Description & Identification
Conservation & Survival	IUCN Status
Taxonomy & Classification	Bird World

Is there a kingfisher in the Philippines?

The Philippine dwarf kingfisher (Ceyx melanurus) is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae that is endemic to the Philippines found in the islands of Luzon, Polillo Islands, Catanduanes, Basilan, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests.It is threatened by habitat loss.

How did the white throated kingfisher get its name?

The English of white-throated was introduced since the range is large and geographic adjectives would make the name too restrictive, while the older name of white-breasted would not describe the eastern race which has only the throat white. The call of this kingfisher is a chuckling chake-ake-ake-ake-ake.

What kind of kingfisher is white in color?

The white-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) also known as the white-breasted kingfisher is a tree kingfisher, widely distributed in Asia from Turkey east through the Indian subcontinent to the Philippines.

When does a white throated kingfisher start breeding?

The white-throated kingfisher begins breeding at the onset of the Monsoons. Males perch on prominent high posts in their territory and call in the early morning. The tail may be flicked now and in its courtship display the wings are stiffly flicked open for a second or two exposing the white wing mirrors.

What kind of habitat does a white throat kingfisher live in?

White-throated kingfisher is a common species of a variety of habitats, mostly open country in the plains (but has been seen at 7500 ft in the Himalayas) with trees, wires or other perches. The range of the species is expanding.