Neha Patil (Editor)

Pelargopsis

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Kingdom
  
Subfamily
  
Halcyoninae

Phylum
  
Chordata

Order
  
Family
  
Alcedinidae

Scientific name
  
Pelargopsis

Rank
  
Genus

Pelargopsis httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Lower classifications
  
Stork‑billed kingfisher, Brown‑winged kingfisher, Great‑billed kingfisher

Pelargopsis is a genus of tree kingfishers which are resident in tropical south Asia from India and Sri Lanka to Indonesia. The species in taxonomic order are:

  • Brown-winged kingfisher, Pelargopsis amauropterus
  • Stork-billed kingfisher, Pelargopsis capensis
  • Great-billed kingfisher, black-billed kingfisher or Celebes stork-billed kingfisher, Pelargopsis melanorhyncha
  • These three kingfishers were previously placed in the genus Halcyon.

    These are very large kingfishers, 35 cm in length. They have very large red or black bills and bright red legs. The head and underparts of these species are white or buff, and the wings and back are darker, coloured variously in green and blue, brown or black depending on species. Sexes are similar. The flight of the Pelargopsis kingfishers is flapping, but direct.

    Pelargopsis kingfishers inhabit a variety of well-wooded habitats near lakes, rivers, estuaries or coasts. They perch quietly whilst seeking food, and are often inconspicuous despite their size. They are territorial and will chase away eagles and other large predators. These species hunts crabs, fish, frogs, and in the case of stork-billed at least, rodents and young birds.

    Pelargopsis kingfishers excavate their nests in a river bank, decaying tree, or a tree termite nest and lay round white eggs.

    Kingfisher stork billed pelargopsis capensis


    References

    Pelargopsis Wikipedia


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