Green-backed Kingfisher

Hermit Reads

The Hermit Reads ( Actenoides monachus ) is a South Asian bird of the family of kingfishers.

Features

The up to 31 cm long hermit Reads has a red beak, a black or blue head. Back, wings and tail are dark green, neck and underparts reddish- brown. The male has blue, the female chestnut cheeks. The young bird has also maroon cheeks and a yellow beak.

Occurrence

The Hermit Reads is an endemic species and is only found on Sulawesi. He lives in the rainforests of the lowlands from sea level to 900 m altitude.

Subspecies

There are two known sub-species:

• Actenoides m. monachus lives in the north of Sulawesi and some neighboring islands and has a dark blue head, a darker reddish- brown breast and a lighter belly.
• Actenoides m. capucinus lives in the south and east of the island. The head is black, chest and belly have the same reddish- brown hue.

Behavior and reproductive

The Hermit Reads is a quiet, solitary bird, little is known about the. It probably breeds in March or April in a hole in the ground or a tree hollow that is dug into a nest of termites tree. The diet consists of centipedes and beetles.