Halcyon (genus)
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H. cinnamomina |
Halcyon is a genus of the tree kingfishers, near passerine birds in the family Halcyonidae.
The following is the list of species:
- Micronesian Kingfisher, Halcyon cinnamomina
- Ruddy Kingfisher, Halcyon coromanda
- Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Halcyon badia
- White-throated Kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis
- Grey-headed Kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala
- Black-capped Kingfisher, Halcyon pileata
- Javan Kingfisher, Halcyon cyanoventris
- Woodland Kingfisher, Halcyon senegalensis
- Mangrove Kingfisher, Halcyon senegaloides
- Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Halcyon malimbica
- Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Halcyon albiventris
- Striped Kingfisher, Halcyon chelicuti
However, other sources, including Fry & Fry, lump the genera Pelargopsis, Syma and Todirhamphus into Halcyon to make a much larger grouping.
The Halcyon genus as here defined consists mainly of species resident in sub-Saharan Africa, with a couple of representatives in southern Asia, one of which, the White-throated Kingfisher, occasionally reaches Europe. White-throated and Ruddy Kingfishers are at least partially migratory.
Halcyon kingfishers are mostly large birds with heavy bills. They occur in a variety of habitats, with woodland of various types the preferred environment for most. They are “sit and wait” predators of small ground animals including large insects, rodents, snakes, and frogs, but some will also take fish.
[edit] References
- Fry, K & Fry, H.C. (2000): Kingfishers, Bee-eaters and Rollers. ISBN 0691087806
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