The Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata)

Feb 02, 2020 Interesting Creatures in Guyana, News

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Interesting Creatures…

The ringed kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) is a large, conspicuous and noisy kingfisher bird commonly found along the lower Rio Grande valley in south eastern most Texas in the United States through Central America to Tierra del Fuego in South America.

The wings of adult males range between 184.9 and 211.1 millimetres (7.28 and 8.31 in), which on average measures 196.3 mm (7.73 in). Their tails range between 110.0–129.0 mm (4.33–5.08 in), and the bill measures 74.9–94 mm (2.95–3.70 in).
Female wings range between 185.0-210.1 mm, as the tail measures 111.5–132.1 mm (4.39–5.20 in) and possess a bill measuring 75.9–90.9 mm (2.99–3.58 in). Individuals can weigh between 305 and 341 g (10.8 and 12.0 oz.). Such measurements prove that the species do not differ sexually in terms of size.
Ringed kingfishers have a dark-brown iris that is constant amongst all age groups. They possess a straight bill that is longer than its head, along with a curved culmen and tomial serrations. The lower mandible appears to have some yellowish colourations. They possess syndactil feet with olive-green or yellowish toes and black claws. A large crest appears to be between the base of the bill and neck. Several individuals have a white collar located around the neck.
Each ringed kingfisher possesses 10 primaries, 15 secondaries, 3 tertials and 12 rectrices. Wings are rounded, and tail is squared. Subspecies can be found in Texas, Mexico, Central America and South America, due to slight plumage differences. Individuals themselves vary slightly as a result of variable environmental constraints and day-length regimes.
Ringed kingfishers can be identified by sex due to differences in colouration. The males possess rusty-brown underparts with white undertail coverts and a white throat. Females have a bluish-grey band seen on upper breast and a whitish band.
A ringed kingfisher’s clutch size is approximated to be 3-6 eggs, which are incubated for about 22 days. The ringed kingfisher is from the family Alcedinidae in the order Coraciiformes. The ringed kingfisher is related to the belted kingfisher. Overall, the species appears much larger than its counterpart, while possessing a rufous belly, a massive bill and a blue back.
The anatomy of ringed kingfisher’s prevents efficient terrestrial movements. Individuals shuffle into and out of nesting burrows. Therefore, displacing between branches is difficult for this species. They possess strong wings that beat very slow as a result of its size. They are able to fly over land for long periods of time in comparison to other species of kingfishers.
A mating ritual involves the male ringed kingfisher offering fish to the female before copulation. Richmond further explains that the pair perform where the male create calls while circling above the waters, while dropping into the water. This process lasts for a short period of time.
Female and male ringed kingfishers incubate their eggs while performing other duties equally. Short foraging breaks are taken during late afternoon since incubation periods are long. Each individual take turns during the morning. Incubating birds are capable of finding prey by regurgitating its undigested food to attract flies in its burrow.
Ringed kingfishers have louder and lower-pitched calls compared to belted kingfisher. Captured Juveniles have been heard to scream, giving a klek or kek call. The same call is heard during human intervention or other disturbances. A softer klek is produced by the adult to signal its incubating partner. Its common vocalizations are described as rattles.
Ringed kingfishers can perch for several hours on trees while watching for prey in the freshwater. Belted kingfishers perch for only a few moments. Ringed kingfishers have also been observed to forage in marine water. They catch their prey by diving from a perch.
Ringed kingfisher’s diet is largely dependent on fish, while sometimes targeting invertebrates, crabs and crustaceans. Fish consumed include several species from the families Characidae and Cichlidae.
A study has examined a parasitic infection caused by Pulchrosopa pulchrosopa, a type of parasitic flatworm that causes internal damages in the respiratory system of ringed kingfishers. Four infected individuals were examined and the species found in their lungs, trachea and coelomic cavity. The parasite migrates to the lungs as the host experiences stressful or immunosuppressive periods. The parasite causes significant damage to tissues due to its migration to the lungs.
Predators of ringed kingfishers include the white-tailed hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, bald eagle, golden eagle and peregrine falcon.
The IUCN considers the ringed kingfisher to be of “Least Concern”. Increasing population trends indicate that the species are not vulnerable as they are widespread and have a large habitat distribution and breeding ranges. [Source: Wikipedia]

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