Red-backed Kingfisher (Todiramphus pyrrhopygius)

Other Scientific Names
Todirhamphus pyrrhopygius [Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)], Todiramphus pyrrhopygia [Christidis and Boles (1994)], Todirhamphus pyrrhopygia [Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)]

Other Names (World)
Red-backed Kingfisher, Golden-rumped Kingfisher, Red-rumped Kingfisher

Family
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)

Size
20 - 24 cm

First Described (Guide)
(Gould, 1841)

Derivation
Todiramphus - L., todus, tody; Gk, ramphus, bill, referring to the tody-like flattened bill with upcurved lower mandible: pyr'-rho-pyg'-i-a - Gk, pyrrhos, fire-colored; Gk, pyge, rump, tail

Abundance (Guide)
C

Moderately common. Nomadic. Migratory.

Habitat
Open, lightly wooded forests and woodlands, scrublands, often far from water, grasslands, spinifex, tree-lined watercourses.

Range (Guide)

Australia (B).

Australia, except extreme south-west and Tasmania.

Interior of Australia, extending to coastal districts, and on rare occasions as far south-east as Melbourne, Vic.

Rarity Status
View Rarity Status Information

Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).

Status LC
Secure.

For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Habits
Singly, in pairs or loose groups.

Food
Large insects and small reptiles.

Voice
Mournful level whistle, 'peel'. Also parrot-like chatterings and far-carrying 'k-prrr, k-prrr' when courting.

(49Kb) © ? (1)

Xeno-Canto Sound Files (more (17)...)

Red-backed Kingfisher (Todiramphus pyrrhopygius) [XC334900]
by Marc Anderson from Tibooburra, New South Wales, Australia (song)

Red-backed Kingfisher (Todiramphus pyrrhopygius) [XC107951]
by Marc Anderson from Golf Course, Exmouth, Australia (call)

Breeding Season (Guide)
September - February.

Nest
A tunnel in the bank of a dry creek or in a termites nest.

Eggs (Guide)
3 - 5; smooth, rather dull pure white; broadly oval or almost shperical; about 27 x 23 mm. Incubation: about 20 days beginning with laying of the first egg; by both sexes.

Young
Altricial, nidicolous. Fledge in about 26 - 30 days.

Subspecies
Genus often merged into Halcyon.

No subspecies.

Similar Species
Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris), Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii) and Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus) all of which lack the streaky cap.

References
See References.

The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9

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