Fun White-collared Kingfisher Facts For Kids
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The white-collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) is a common kingfisher species consisting of numerous subspecies that occur over a huge range. It is also commonly known by the names collared-kingfisher and mangrove kingfisher.
The species is divided into several subspecies, which have given rise to a large number of species groups in turn. Some commonly known subspecies groups of these kingfishers are Pacific kingfishers, Mariana kingfishers, and Islet kingfishers.
It is widespread throughout the mainland region of South Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore, and New Guinea, but localities become sparse as they move to the coastal areas of Northern Australia. They are one of the most common kingfisher species found in Singapore.
It is believed that the increasing population of the white-collared kingfisher in Singapore is the main cause for the decline of white-throated kingfishers in that range. Some extremely small populations are found on the island of the South Pacific Ocean.
The subspecies residing in the small island are threatened by habitat loss and adverse natural events. To know more about these kingfishers, keep on reading these amazing facts.
For similar content, check out these oriental dwarf kingfisher and woodland kingfisher facts too.
White-Collared Kingfisher Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a white-collared kingfisher?
The white-collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) is a type of colorful bird found throughout a wide range across the Red sea and south-central Pacific islands with a resident breeding population in Singapore.
What class of animal does a white-collared kingfisher belong to?
The white-collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) of Coraciiformes order and Alcedinidae family belong to the class Aves, the common class for all birds.
How many white-collared kingfishers are there in the world?
The global population of the white-collared kingfisher could not be determined due to its occurrence over a wide range.
It is generally a commonly observed species throughout its range and is also reported to be locally abundant in some parts of its range. Therefore their population is not globally threatened as of yet, but the density of population in their colonized countries and islands varies according to different regions.
Although the birds are distributed over a wide range and do not face any major threats at present, they are following a decreasing population trend.
In some parts of their range, especially the subspecies in the small and remote islands are threatened by habitat degradation. Destroying mangrove habitations in the coastal areas is a major drawback faced by the species.
Some other common causes like pollution and excessive use of chemicals also affect the subpopulations of the white-collared kingfisher. Singapore, the Philippines, and New Guniea shelters a large residential breeding population.
Where does a white-collared kingfisher live?
The kingfishers are distributed across the Red Sea region and northeast Africa, ranging from Sudan to Somalia, in its westernmost range. The subspecies Todiramphus chloris abyssinica is the westernmost white-collared kingfisher subspecies that occur throughout the Eurasian and African landmass.
Further east of the western border of these kingfishers, an endangered subspecies called Todiramphus chloris kalbaensis are found. Only 55 pairs of this race are reported from a restricted range in the Arabian gulf ranging from Khor Kalba in the United Arab Emirates up to Khor Shinas in Oman.
On reaching the Asian continent, many locally abundant subspecies are reported from the southeastern and southern countries, including India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, and northern Australia.
A small range also occurs throughout the South Pacific islands up to Polynesia. They are not endemic.
What is a white-collared kingfisher's habitat?
The white-collared kingfisher species can adapt to several types of habitats mainly because of their large range. In south-east Asia, like Singapore and Malaysia, the kingfishers inhabit the coastal areas as well as vegetative plantations.
They also occupy coastal mangrove regions in Singapore and Malaysia. The birds of the south Asian islands like the Philippines, Indonesia, and New Guinea are found in dry grasslands with scattered trees, cultivated lands like rice and palm fields, forest edges, and cleared woodlands along with coastal vegetation and mangrove plantations.
In northern Australia, they are restricted to tidal flats and inlet mangrove swamps.
The habitat choice of the kingfishers of south pacific islands depends on the presence of competitor species. When competitors are absent, they move to the interiors of forest or savanna grasslands.
In the presence of competitors, they restrict themselves to coastal areas. In the island areas, kingfishers can be seen in mountain forests as well.
Who do white-collared kingfishers live with?
A group of kingfishers is known as a concentration or realm. However, these birds are extremely aggressive towards their own species as well as other species.
Therefore they do not prefer to live in a group. Rather the white-collared kingfisher is generally a solitary bird; it roosts on trees near a prime feeding site on its own. During the breeding season, they live with their respective partners in solitary pairs.
How long does a white-collared kingfisher live?
The lifespan of a white-collared kingfisher ranges between 6-11 years in the wild.
How do they reproduce?
The breeding season of white-collared kingfishers varies according to the variation in the distribution of the subspecies. Altogether, the breeding season of the entire species lasts from December to August.
The birds exhibit a monogamous system of mating, the bird pairs breed for life. They are territorial in nature; the pairs follow each other during courtship flights at a low height, over tree canopies. Females are also fed by males prior to breeding.
The mates greet each other by spreading their wings as soon as they are ready to breed. They nest in hollows either by excavating a hole on rotten tree stumps, earth banks, in arboreal termite nests and burrows, or inside natural cavities.
Sometimes the kingfishers also nest in woodpecker holes. Both partners defend their nesting territories from other birds aggressively.
The female bird gives birth to a litter consisting of 2-5 eggs in a single clutch. The chicks come out from the eggs after incubating them for 18 days. Both parents take part in incubating the eggs and provide parental care.
The chicks fledge the nests after 29-30 days after they are born. The white-collared kingfishers can produce two broods in a single breeding season.
What is their conservation status?
The white-collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) is classified as a species of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List. The birds have an extremely large range.
Therefore they do not meet the range size criteria of vulnerable species, although their range is decreasing due to widespread habitat loss. Destruction of mangrove cultivations and development, including human modifications, are the main threats moderately impacting the kingfishers.
Despite these threats, the bird population does not seem to be affected on a large scale, and neither is their distribution much fragmented.
Apart from that, the kingfishers also have a significantly large population. It is not feasible to classify them as endangered or vulnerable species with such a large population size.
White-Collared Kingfisher Fun Facts
What do white-collared kingfishers look like?
The white-collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) is a medium-sized bird having a bright blue plumage. They have a turquoise blue head, and the color of the wings and tail vary from dark blue to green.
The underparts of the bird and the collar-like ring around its neck are white. The bill is long and heavy in comparison to the size of the body. The female birds tend to be greener, while males have an intensified blue tinge.
How cute are they?
The white-collared kingfisher is an excellent-looking bird with a petite built. They look very cute.
How do they communicate?
They communicate by vocalizations. The typical white-collared kingfisher sound is a 3-5 note kee-kee-kee call.
How big is a white-collared kingfisher?
The length of a white-collared kingfisher ranges between 9.1-9.8 in (23-25 cm). They are two times smaller than belted kingfishers.
How fast can a white-collared kingfisher fly?
The white-collared kingfisher can fly at a maximum speed of 25 mph (40.2 kph).
How much does a white-collared kingfisher weigh?
The weight of a white-collared kingfisher ranges between 1.8-3.2 oz (51-90 g).
What are the male and female names of the species?
The male and female kingfishers are referred to as cocks and hens, respectively.
What would you call a baby white-collared kingfisher?
The baby kingfishers are referred to as chicks.
What do they eat?
The white-collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) is carnivorous in nature. They prey on crabs and shrimps as their primary diet. Apart from that, they also prey on a wide variety of animals like small snakes, lizards, fish, spiders, and earthworms.
Are they dangerous?
No, they are not dangerous.
Would they make a good pet?
No, although they look very beautiful, They do not make great pets.
Did you know...
While waiting to catch their prey, the kingfishers perch on a branch and remain motionless for long periods.
How many types of kingfishers are there?
Currently, there are around 119 recognized species of kingfishers divided under 19 genera. Some of them are common kingfishers, belted kingfishers, Amazon kingfishers, and giant kingfishers.
Naming white-collared kingfisher
The current white-collared kingfisher scientific name, Todiramphus chloris, was coined by the French naturalist Rene Lesson because of its greenish appearance. The term 'chloris' means greenish in Latin. They have a white-collar around the nape area, which is why the kingfishers are called white collared.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these giant kingfisher facts and blue cotinga facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable parts the bird coloring pages.
Both images by Kirkamon.
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
Moumita DuttaBachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
A content writer and editor with a passion for sports, Moumita has honed her skills in producing compelling match reports and stories about sporting heroes. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Calcutta University, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Sports Management.
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