Tuamotu Kingfisher

The Tuamotuliest ( Todiramphus gambieri ) is a rare Eisvogelart that occurs on the Gambier Islands and the Tuamotu Archipelago.

Description

The Tuamotuliest reaches a length of 20 centimeters. Head and neck are washed cream. The skull shows a patch of blue feathers. The forehead is creamy white. Through the neck extends a wide band. The ear covers are dark blue. Chin and underside are white. Above the upper chest runs a reddish brown band. Mantle, back, rump, wings and tail are blue. The beak is black. His cry of alarm consists of a ki -ki -ki -ki.

Way of life

The Tuamotuliest breeds from September to January. The nest box is built in rotten trunks of coconut trees. Its diet consists of beetles and small lizards.

Status

The Tuamotuliest was once home to two subspecies Ngiou in the Tuamotus and Mangareva in the Gambier Islands on. The nominate T. g gambieri of Mangareva is probably extinct before 1922. The subspecies T. g niauensis of the island Ngiou had a population of about 400-600 copies in 1974. In 1990, still relatively common, the stock took off so strong that in 2003/2004 only between 40 and 50 specimens counted. However, a search operation in the period 2006/2007 again yielded a portfolio of more than 200 copies. The main reasons for the decline in Tuamotuliests rats and the destruction of nesting trees from deforestation and tropical storms are considered.