The Sacred King Fisher
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- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- Australia is home to a massive array of beautiful birdlife, and the sacred kingfisher is amoungst the most stunning
The sacred kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus) is a medium-sized woodland kingfisher that occurs in mangroves, woodlands, forests, and river valleys in Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the western Pacific.
It is called “sacred” for it was said to be a holy bird for Polynesians, who believed it to have control over the waves. Likewise, the local subspecies of collared kingfisher and other kingfishers in the southwestern Pacific were ascribed venerable power over the ocean
The sacred kingfisher is a medium-sized kingfisher. They are mostly turquoise, with white underparts and collar feathers. Both sexes are similar, but females are usually more dull-colored. Juveniles have rusty-brown edges on the collar and underparts.
Sacred kingfishers are found in Australia, New Zealand, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, New Guinea, eastern Indonesia, much of northern and western Melanesia, and the Kermadec Islands. This species breeds throughout much of Australia (except the dry interior), New Zealand, New Caledonia and locally, New Guinea. Populations in the southern two-thirds of Australia migrate northwards at the end of breeding season to New Guinea, east to the eastern Solomon Islands and west to Indonesia becoming uncommon to very sparse as west as Sumatra. Birds move south again to Australia in August to September. It has also occurred as a vagrant on Christmas Island (in the Indian Ocean), Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Nauru. A pair spotted in Pampanga Philippines April / May 2016.
In Australia, it occurs in eucalypt forests, melaleuca forests, woodland and paperbark forests. In New Zealand, T. sanctus vagans shows altitudinal migration, with post-breeding movement from higher altitudes to the coast and also from forest to coast and open lands.
The sacred kingfisher is 19-23 cm (7.5-9.1 in) long, and feeds on insects, small crustaceans, fish, small rodents and reptiles, and there are a few reports of them eating small finches. Usually, a bird will sit on a low branch and wait for prey to pass by. It swoops down to grab the prey and returns to its perch to eat, much like a hawk.
Once a pair of birds has mated, both members of the pair dig the nest; a burrow in a river bank, a large, empty branch or a termite mound are prime examples. The female lays about five eggs, and both birds incubate the eggs and take care of the young
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They certainly are a beautiful bird.
So gorgeous ❤
Beautiful colors on that bird!
Space_Oddyessy and they will get brighter as he matures!
Nick: talks about kingfishers from the other side of the world from me.
Australian kingfisher: is that thumb tasty???
Lol love it!!!
Elaine B who’d have thought with all the animals I work with the one intent to eat me would be that adorable 😂
@@WickedWildlife I know right!!! LOL!!!
Such a lovely little bird pecks your thumb😍😍😍😍
Sacred, Forest, Collared (aka Mangrove) and Azure. All beautiful birds. 1 of my favourite bird species along with Fairywrens and all Raptors.
Feisty lil bloke, great vid mate.
Garry McGaw his certainly got some spunk about him 😂
That's really cool! He's so cute!
What a pretty bird. A lot like the kookaburra in looks. Thank you for yet another great video Nick 😊
T C very much like a miniature kookaburra!
Beautiful bird, I really love the videos you do and all the info you give people. Keep up all the good work
Brandon Smith thanks mate!
Wicked Wildlife yes sir your welcome
He's cute.
Wow i love that video
SuperFkv glad you liked it mate! And Gday from Australia
Gorgeous, I'm very fond of kingfishers, even our boat is a Kingfisher 26 :)
susan baillie I think they are pretty stunning birds!
I love how it just stayed hanging with you listening to you chat about it them lol
What a cute little bird! I love kingfishers, especially because they get such brilliant colors on them like that guy had! I learned a ton as always, your videos never disappoint Nick!
- Harrison and Evan
I came to sub your channel straightaway from watching Dingos live tonight. Can’t wait to start watching your videos too
Archie Adams thanks mate
Welcome to the channel
We have loads of videos to catch up on!
Was that a female Kingfisher?
Delightful bird!
Did her pecking your finger hurt? She wanted more mealworms!
Looking forward to your next post!
God bless you and your family!
Carolyn Nunes we don’t actually know the sex of this little guy yet as it’s just a juvenile, it will colour up over the next 12 months
I admire your patience with the bird even as they pecked at your thumb! Did it hurt?
Gorgeous bird. Great video . Very informative
That kingfisher took of at the right time
What lovely colors!! Thanks for sharing this!!
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks so much for introducing another amazing species. I'd heard about sacred king fishers before, but mistook the name for a description. They're beautiful!
Also, props on making it through the presentation without laughing the entire time--that little bird has quite the personality! Haha
They are called Kōtare here in New Zealand 🇳🇿- beautiful birds 👍
How far north do they go during the autumn migration? Got one in care in Sydney and ready for release in a couple of days but he's behind a week or so and we want to release (drive north) as far as possible to give him the head start needed. Any ideas please respond. Hard to find any information on their migratory route online.
ud think things like this would have been taught in school nope
Dingo sent me
You should hook up with RickyMack king of the outback
jason waycott welcome to the channel mate
Would love to catch up with Ricky one day
give me a fish all i beck your hand