Micronesian Kingfisher

Zimtkopfliest ( Todiramphus cinnamominus reichenbachii )

The Zimtkopfliest ( Todiramphus cinnamominus ) is a representative of occurring in the Pacific Kingfisher genus Todiramphus.

Features

The Zimtkopfliest is about 20 cm long. It has a large dark bill, a cinnamon-colored head, a dark eye line and blue-green leaf tops. The two south widespread subspecies T. c. pelewensis and T. c. reichenbachii are characterized by a white throat and white undersides. In the two northern subspecies of the neck is cinnamon. The males of the subspecies T. c. cinnamominus also have a cinnamon-colored breast and wing undersides.

Occurrence

The distribution area of Zimtkopfliests limited to three groups of islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, on each of which occurs a subspecies. In a fourth group of islands died, a further subspecies from the early 20th century.

Threats and conservation

The Ryukyu Reads ( T. c. Miyakoensis ) is only known from a single specimen, which was collected in 1887 on the Japanese Miyako Islands, since the subspecies is lost. The Guam Reads T. c. cinnamominus extinct by introduction of the brown tree snake in the wild; Although there are populations in captivity, but a reintroduction would be possible only if serpentine -free areas can be created. The stocks of T. c. reichenbachii on Pohnpei, have fallen sharply reasons as yet unknown.

Subspecies

• T. c. cinnamominus ( Swainson 1821); occurring only on the island of Guam subspecies.
• T. c. pelewensis ( Wiglesworth 1891); endemic spread to the Palau Islands.
• T. c. reichenbachii ( Hartlaub, 1852); their range includes the island of Pohnpei and the archipelago of the Caroline Islands.
• † T. c. miyakoensis or Todiramphus miyakoensis ( Kuroda 1919); this subspecies came to the beginning of the 20th century to the Japanese Ryukyu Islands. It is considered by some authors as distinct species.

Behavior and food

The Zimtkopfliest is a highseat. It feeds on soil insects, grasshoppers, and small reptiles.