KINGFISHER 4/13 - Rufous-collared Kingfisher

 

Finally I got my male KF in Sg Perdik in Ulu Langat after so many failed sighting in Kemensah. I guess I am the last birder amongst my fellow friends to see it. What a relieve ....getting desperate. This bird can also be sighted in Kemensah Ulu Kelang & Panti Johor.

Rufous-collared kingfishers are medium-sized, plump kingfishers, with a green crown (top of the head); blue (in males) and buff-spotted green (in females) back; and rufous (red) coloring on and below the collar. The bill is black above and yellow below. Rufous-collared kingfisher is 9 to 9.5 in long

Rufous-collared kingfisher like the Banded is usually found in dense, lowland rainforests, and sometimes in secondary forests (that is, in forests where new vegetation has formed after the original vegetation of the forest has been destroyed either by nature or by humans). They are found up to 5,600 feet (1,700 meters) above sea level.They feed on various arthropods; mostly insects and large scorpions, but also fish, snails, small snakes, and lizards. They catch prey by dropping from a low perch to snatch the prey off the water surface or off the ground. Occasionally, they turn over leaves in search of food. When calling out, Rufous-collared Kingfishers produce a monotonous loud, long whistle that rises in tone. They perch mostly in the middle and lower levels of forests. When perched, they will regularly show a slow bobbing head and pumping tail.

They are supposed to be monogamous ie mated only with one other, usually dig nest burrows in earthen banks, but also use rotten tree trunks. They dig out tunnels that end in a nest chamber about 8 inches (20 centimeters) in diameter. Females usually lay two eggs, which are incubated for about twenty-two days.

Rufous-collared kingfishers is uncommon and is considered near threatened, in danger of becoming threatened with extinction, due to extensive removal of lowland forests. With encroachment of humans into the fringes of forest and the use of mist nest along the tilapia ponds I am very afraid that kingfishers will be snarled and killed by our inconsiderate people.............