Class Aves Family Alcedinidae Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Subfamily Halcyoninae | |
Similar Pohnpei kingfisher, Talaud kingfisher, Society kingfisher, Flat‑billed kingfisher, Marquesan kingfisher | ||
The rusty-capped kingfisher or Palau kingfisher (Todiramphus pelewensis) is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae. It is endemic to Palau. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the Micronesian kingfisher.
This is a brilliantly colored, medium-sized kingfisher. Adults are characterized by white underparts, while juveniles are cinnamon below. They have large laterally-flattened bills and dark legs. kingfishers defend permanent territories as breeding pairs and family groups (Kesler 2006). Both sexes care for young, and some offspring remain with parents for extended periods.
Little has been published about the status of rusty-capped kingfisher populations, although the US Fish and Wildlife Service has bird survey data for the region.