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Paradise kingfisher

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Paradise kingfisher
Brown-headed paradise kingfisher (Tanysiptera danae)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Alcedinidae
Subfamily: Halcyoninae
Genus: Tanysiptera
Vigors, 1825
Type species
Alcedo dea
Linnaeus, 1766
Species

see list

Phylogeny
Tanysiptera
Cladogram based on Andersen et al. (2017). The Kofiau paradise kingfisher (Tanysiptera ellioti) was not included in the study.[1]

The paradise kingfishers (genus Tanysiptera) are a group of tree kingfishers endemic to New Guinea — with the exception of two species also present in the Moluccas and Queensland.

The genus was erected by the Irish zoologist Nicholas Aylward Vigors in 1825.[2] The type species is the common paradise kingfisher.[3] The name Tanysiptera is from classical Greek tanusipteros meaning "long-feathered".[4] The birds in the genus have distinctive long tail streamers.[5]

Habitat and distribution

The centre of paradise kingfishers is New Guinea: Several species occur on this 786,000 km² large island. In addition, there are several island endemisms that occur on islands of the Moluccas and the Louisiade Archipelago. Most paradise kingfishers are resident birds. The buff-breasted paradise kingfisher, which also occurs in the extreme northeast of Australia, moves to New Guinea in the winter half-year. The common paradise kingfisher has the biggest spread among the paradisiacis birds. It occurs in 15 subspecies on New Guinea and islands of the Moluccas and the Louisiade Archipelago. On New Guinea itself, several subspecies of the common paradise kingfisher live there. The remaining subspecies are limited in their spread to individual islands or island groups. The red-breasted paradise kingfisher and the brown-headed paradise kingfisher only occur on New Guinea. The little paradise kingfisher has its residence on the Aru Islands Regency and in the outermost south of New Guinea. It is assumed that the little paradise kingfisher comes from the common paradise kingfisher and developed on the Aru Islands Regency to an independent species. From this place it settled in New Guinea, where today the distribution area of the two species overlaps. These two species do not produce any natural hybrids.[6] The Kofiau paradise kingfisher is also closely related to the common paradise kingfisher, which only occurs on Kofiau.

Description

Most species of paradise kingfishers are commonly observed in their natural habitat within the interior forests of New Guinea. [7] However, the species itself has been known to be attracted to rivers and coasts and they demonstrate an ability to fly over large bodies of water, which is observed in the Buff-Breasted paradise kingfisher. [8] An aspect found within the species is the syndactyly in the feet, where the third and fourth toe of the bird is fused together. [9] There are opposing arguments to what benefits syndactyly has, one is that syndactyl feet may be likened to more strength for perching on branches. [10] Another claims that this aids the birds in digging out hole-nests for their young and the some say it has no benefit to the bird at all. [11] The plumage of juvenile paradise kingfishers differs from that of an adult bird until they undergo a partial moulting phase where only the flight feathers are retained and then it looks similar to that of a full-grown adult. [12]

Most paradise-kingfishers are extremely territorial, with most birds living in territorial pairs but choosing to forage alone. [13] Some studies also claim that this territoriality is attributed to the defence of resources within the area. [14] Upon observation of the breeding habits of the buff-breasted paradise-kingfisher, it found that they to actively defend their territory at the vocalisation of other intruder birds. [15] Paradise kingfishers are classified as hole-nesters and use their webbed feet to excavate nest holes in termite mounds. [16] Most species chose arboreal termite mounds located on the sides of trees about 3-4.5m from the ground and those that are still actively inhabited by termites. [17] This is because studies show that live termitariums are stronger when inhabited and become fragile after the insects leave, making them more susceptible to predators. [18]

The paradise kingfisher species is also known to have a wide array of vocalisation. Studies observing the species witnessed common vocalisation when the bird approaches the nest, in reassurance to their partner and to sound off an alarm when another predator is within their territory. [19] Young kingfishers demonstrate loud vocalisation around 2 weeks old, especially during feeding time when expecting the parents return. [20]

Breeding

Paradise-kingfishers are known to have long-term bonds with each other and practice social monogamy. [21] Most birds return to the same territory with the same partner during the breeding season, unless their partner had died in which case, they replaced them and were found in a new territory. [22] Most species in the region are breeding residents except for the buff-breasted paradise-kingfisher that nests in Australia but has been known to migrate to New Guinea, where most of them have populations. The paradise kingfisher species also demonstrates social cooperation, though this has only been observed within the buff breasted species of the genus. [23] During the breeding season, it is common to observe an additional male joining the breeding pair to help protect the territory and care for nestlings. [24] The exact reason for this is unknown; however, one argument states that there may be benefits involved the additional male, as it gives them access to possible future partners in the form of the nestlings or the breeding female. [25]

The nest of the paradise kingfisher is created by the pair of birds flying repeatedly at the termitarium of choice, striking it with their beaks until they manage to puncture a hole into the hard surface. [26] From there, the birds are able to excavate a space within the termitarium using their feet and create an egg chamber “about 13 cm in diameter”. [27] Buff-breasted paradise-kingfishers have been found to create nests located on ground level. [28] Due to the nature of the nests, most paradise-kingfishers have a specific odour to their nests due to the lack of sanitation that occurs within these units. [29] The clutch of a paradise kingfisher consists of around two to three eggs and the young stay within the nest until old enough to leave. [30]

A common phenomenon demonstrated in the kingfisher species is brood reduction, due to asynchronous hatching. [31] In addition to that, because the birds are considered hole-nesters, the eldest chick usually will take up the opening of the nest and dominate the food resources leading to the death of the smallest chick. This ensures that the depending on the availability of the food that season, the paradise-kingfisher brood may be larger or smaller. [32] This may also be attributed to limited reproduction in paradise-kingfisher birds located within the tropics of New Guinea as food resources tend to be scarcer. [33]

Diet

Paradise-kingfisher diets consist of small insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, cicadas’ snails in addition to small lizards, spiders and worms. [34] Adult paradise kingfishers feed their young invertebrates up to the maximum size of 3 cm in length depending on the age of the chick and hunts by sitting motionless on low branches while searching for various types of prey. [35]

Conservation status and threats

The natural predators of buff-breasted paradise-kingfishers are snakes of smaller build and goannas that are able to break through the small opening in the nest of the birds. [36]

Species

There are nine species:[37]

References

  1. ^ Andersen, M.J.; McCullough, J.M.; Mauck III, W.M.; Smith, B.T.; Moyle, R.G. (2017). "A phylogeny of kingfishers reveals an Indomalayan origin and elevated rates of diversification on oceanic islands". Journal of Biogeography: 1–13. doi:10.1111/jbi.13139.
  2. ^ Vigors, Nicholas Aylward (1825). "Observations on the natural affinities that connect the orders and families of birds". Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. 14 (3): 395–517 [433].
  3. ^ Peters, James Lee, ed. (1945). Check-list of Birds of the World. Volume 5. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. p. 216.
  4. ^ Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London, United Kingdom: Christopher Helm. p. 379. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
  5. ^ Fry, C. Hilary; Fry, Kathie; Harris, Alan (1992). Kingfishers, Bee-eaters, and Rollers. London: Christopher Helm. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-7136-8028-7.
  6. ^ "Handbook of the Birds of the World". Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  7. ^ Beehler, Bruce and Pratt, Thane. Birds of New Guinea. 2nd ed., Princeton University Press, 2015. De Gruyter, www-degruyter-com.ezproxy.library.sydney.edu.au/document/doi/10.1515/9781400865116/html.
  8. ^ Beehler, Bruce and Pratt, Thane. Birds of New Guinea. 2nd ed., Princeton University Press, 2015. De Gruyter, www-degruyter-com.ezproxy.library.sydney.edu.au/document/doi/10.1515/9781400865116/html.
  9. ^ Ahlquist, Jon & Lightner, Jean. “Paradise Kingfishers (Tanysiptera spp.), the Founder Effect, and Creation Research”, Creation Research Society Quarterly, vol. 55, 2018, pp.4-23, ResearchGate.
  10. ^ Ahlquist, Jon & Lightner, Jean. “Paradise Kingfishers (Tanysiptera spp.), the Founder Effect, and Creation Research”, Creation Research Society Quarterly, vol. 55, 2018, pp.4-23, ResearchGate.
  11. ^ Ahlquist, Jon & Lightner, Jean. “Paradise Kingfishers (Tanysiptera spp.), the Founder Effect, and Creation Research”, Creation Research Society Quarterly, vol. 55, 2018, pp.4-23, ResearchGate.
  12. ^ Beehler, Bruce and Pratt, Thane. Birds of New Guinea: Distribution, Taxonomy, and Systematics, Princeton University Press, 2016. De Gruyter, www-degruyter-com.ezproxy.library.sydney.edu.au/document/doi/10.1515/9781400880713/html.
  13. ^ Legge, Sarah and Heinsohn, Robert. “Kingfishers in paradise: The breeding biology of Tanysiptera sylvia at the Iron Range National Park, Cape York”, Australian Journal of Zoology, vol. 49, 2001, pp. 85-98, ResearchGate, doi: 10.1071/ZO00090.
  14. ^ Legge, Sarah, et al. “Territoriality and density of an Australian migrant, the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, in the New Guinean non-breeding grounds”, Emu - Austral Ornithology, vol. 104, no.1, 2016, pp. 15-20, Taylor & Francis Online, doi: 10.1071/MU03054.
  15. ^ Legge, Sarah and Heinsohn, Robert. “Kingfishers in paradise: The breeding biology of Tanysiptera sylvia at the Iron Range National Park, Cape York”, Australian Journal of Zoology, vol. 49, 2001, pp. 85-98, ResearchGate, doi: 10.1071/ZO00090.
  16. ^ Ahlquist, Jon & Lightner, Jean. “Paradise Kingfishers (Tanysiptera spp.), the Founder Effect, and Creation Research”, Creation Research Society Quarterly, vol. 55, 2018, pp.4-23, ResearchGate.
  17. ^ Legge, Sarah and Heinsohn, Robert. “Kingfishers in paradise: The breeding biology of Tanysiptera sylvia at the Iron Range National Park, Cape York”, Australian Journal of Zoology, vol. 49, 2001, pp. 85-98, ResearchGate, doi: 10.1071/ZO00090.
  18. ^ Legge, Sarah and Heinsohn, Robert. “Kingfishers in paradise: The breeding biology of Tanysiptera sylvia at the Iron Range National Park, Cape York”, Australian Journal of Zoology, vol. 49, 2001, pp. 85-98, ResearchGate, doi: 10.1071/ZO00090.
  19. ^ Legge, Sarah, et al. “Territoriality and density of an Australian migrant, the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, in the New Guinean non-breeding grounds”, Emu - Austral Ornithology, vol. 104, no.1, 2016, pp. 15-20, Taylor & Francis Online, doi: 10.1071/MU03054.
  20. ^ Thiollay, Jean-Marc. “Comparative foraging success of insectivorous birds in tropical and temperate forests: ecological implications”, Oikos, vol. 53, pp. 17–30, JSTOR 3565658.
  21. ^ Fry, Charles Hilary, Fry, Kathie, and Harris, Alan. Kingfishers, Bee-eaters and Rollers, Christopher Helm, 1992. JSTOR 4088439.
  22. ^ Legge, Sarah, et al. “Territoriality and density of an Australian migrant, the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, in the New Guinean non-breeding grounds”, Emu - Austral Ornithology, vol. 104, no.1, 2016, pp. 15-20, Taylor & Francis Online, doi: 10.1071/MU03054.
  23. ^ Dow, Douglas. “Communally breeding Australian birds with an analysis of distributional and environmental factors”, Emu - Austral Ornithology, vol. 80, pp. 121–140, Taylor & Francis Online, doi: https://doi.org/10.1071/MU9800121.
  24. ^ Legge, Sarah and Heinsohn, Robert. “Kingfishers in paradise: The breeding biology of Tanysiptera sylvia at the Iron Range National Park, Cape York”, Australian Journal of Zoology, vol. 49, 2001, pp. 85-98, ResearchGate, doi: 10.1071/ZO00090.
  25. ^ Legge, Sarah and Cockburn, Andrew. “Social and mating system of cooperatively-breeding laughing kookaburras (Dacelo novaeguineae)”, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, vol. 47, pp. 220–229, Springer, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002650050659.
  26. ^ Ahlquist, Jon & Lightner, Jean. “Paradise Kingfishers (Tanysiptera spp.), the Founder Effect, and Creation Research”, Creation Research Society Quarterly, vol. 55, 2018, pp.4-23, ResearchGate.
  27. ^ Ahlquist, Jon & Lightner, Jean. “Paradise Kingfishers (Tanysiptera spp.), the Founder Effect, and Creation Research”, Creation Research Society Quarterly, vol. 55, 2018, pp.4-23, ResearchGate.
  28. ^ Woodall, Peter. 2001. “Family Alcedinidae (kingfishers)”, Handbook of the Birds of the World, vol. 6, pp. 130–249. Lynx Editions, Barcelona, Spain.
  29. ^ Legge, Sarah and Heinsohn, Robert. “Kingfishers in paradise: The breeding biology of Tanysiptera sylvia at the Iron Range National Park, Cape York”, Australian Journal of Zoology, vol. 49, 2001, pp. 85-98, ResearchGate, doi: 10.1071/ZO00090.
  30. ^ Legge, Sarah and Heinsohn, Robert. “Kingfishers in paradise: The breeding biology of Tanysiptera sylvia at the Iron Range National Park, Cape York”, Australian Journal of Zoology, vol. 49, 2001, pp. 85-98, ResearchGate, doi: 10.1071/ZO00090.
  31. ^ Fry, Charles Hilary, Fry, Kathie, and Harris, Alan. Kingfishers, Bee-eaters and Rollers, Christopher Helm, 1992. JSTOR 4088439.
  32. ^ Thiollay, Jean-Marc. “Comparative foraging success of insectivorous birds in tropical and temperate forests: ecological implications”, Oikos, vol. 53, pp. 17–30, JSTOR /3565658.
  33. ^ Legge, Sarah and Heinsohn, Robert. “Kingfishers in paradise: The breeding biology of Tanysiptera sylvia at the Iron Range National Park, Cape York”, Australian Journal of Zoology, vol. 49, 2001, pp. 85-98, ResearchGate, doi: 10.1071/ZO00090.
  34. ^ Legge, Sarah and Heinsohn, Robert. “Kingfishers in paradise: The breeding biology of Tanysiptera sylvia at the Iron Range National Park, Cape York”, Australian Journal of Zoology, vol. 49, 2001, pp. 85-98, ResearchGate, doi: 10.1071/ZO00090.
  35. ^ Ahlquist, Jon & Lightner, Jean. “Paradise Kingfishers (Tanysiptera spp.), the Founder Effect, and Creation Research”, Creation Research Society Quarterly, vol. 55, 2018, pp.4-23, ResearchGate.
  36. ^ Legge, Sarah and Heinsohn, Robert. “Kingfishers in paradise: The breeding biology of Tanysiptera sylvia at the Iron Range National Park, Cape York”, Australian Journal of Zoology, vol. 49, 2001, pp. 85-98, ResearchGate, doi: 10.1071/ZO00090.
  37. ^ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David, eds. (2017). "Rollers, ground rollers & kingfishers". World Bird List Version 7.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 17 May 2017.

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