Fairy reads
| Fairy reads | ||||||||||||
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Fairy Reads ( Tanysiptera hydrocharis ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Tanysiptera hydrocharis | ||||||||||||
| GR Gray , 1858 |
The Feenliest ( Tanysiptera hydrocharis ) is a kingfisher found on the Aru Islands and New Guinea . According to the IUCN, information on the endangerment of the fairy reading is not possible due to insufficient data. No subspecies are distinguished.
Position within the genus of the paradise kingfishers
The Feenliest is closely related to the Spatelliest , a species that is widespread in New Guinea and the Moluccas and has numerous subspecies, which, like the Feenliest, are more frequent islanders. It is believed that the Feenliest descended from the Spatelliest and developed into an independent species on Aru. From there he colonized New Guinea, where today the range of the two species overlaps. There are no natural hybrids between the two species.
features
The Feenliest , including the extended control feathers, reaches a body length of 33 to 34 centimeters, while the extended middle pair of control feathers protrude over the remaining tail plumage by 10 to 11 centimeters. The adult bird has a large red beak in relation to its body size, but it is significantly smaller compared to the Spatelliest. The wings are also significantly smaller than the Spatelliest and measure 8.5 to 8.6 centimeters.
The crown and the shoulders are dark blue, the eye stripe is turquoise blue, the coat is blue-black. It has a white breast plumage and the long tail feathers of the paradise kingfishers characteristic of the genus . The tail plumage is dark blue.
distribution and habitat
The Feenliest is native to the Indonesian Aru Islands and the extreme south of New Guinea . It occurs in the lowlands, its height distribution reaches up to 300 meters. In its area of distribution, the Spatelliest and the Paradiesliest also occur. Compared to the Spatelliest, the Feenliest inhabits drier forests.
It mainly feeds on insects that it catches on the ground.
literature
- Bruce M. Beehler, Thane K. Pratt: Birds of New Guinea; Distribution, Taxonomy, and Systematics . Princeton University Press, Princeton 2016, ISBN 978-0-691-16424-3 .
- C. Hilary Fry , Kathie Fry: Kingfishers, Bee-Eaters, & Rollers. Princeton, New Jersey 1992, 1999, ISBN 0-691-04879-7 .
Web links
- Photo: Little Paradise-Kingfisher
- Tanysiptera hydrocharis onthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species .
- BirdLife International 2008. Tanysiptera hydrocharis .