Rusty-capped kingfisher explained

The rusty-capped kingfisher or Palau kingfisher (Todiramphus pelewensis) is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae. It is endemic to Palau.^[1] The natural habitat of this species is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the Micronesian kingfisher.

This is a brilliantly colored, medium-sized kingfisher. Adults are characterized by white underparts with long black eyestripes, while juveniles are cinnamon below. They have large laterally-flattened bills and dark legs. Kingfishers defend permanent territories as breeding pairs and family groups. Both sexes care for young, and some offspring remain with parents for extended periods.^[2]

Little has been published about the status of rusty-capped kingfisher populations, although the US Fish and Wildlife Service has bird survey data for the region.^{[3] [4]}

Further reading

• Fry, C.H., K. Fry, A. Harris. 1992. Kingfishers, Bee-eaters, and Rollers. Princeton University Press. Princeton, NJ.
• Haig, S.M., J.D. Ballou, and N.J. Casna. 1995. Genetic identification of kin in Micronesian Kingfishers. Journal of Heredity 86: 423–431.
• Pratt, H.D., P.L. Bruner, and D.G. Berrett. 1987. The Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific. Princeton University Press. Princeton, NJ.
• Kesler, D.C., and S.M. Haig. 2007. "Territoriality, prospecting, and dispersal in cooperatively breeding Micronesian Kingfishers." Auk 124:381-395.
• Kesler, D.C., and S. M. Haig. 2005. "Microclimate and nest site selection in Micronesian kingfishers." Pacific Science 59:499-508.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Species factsheet: Todiramphus pelewensis.. 2019. www.birdlife.org. BirdLife International. 26 May 2019.
2. Kesler. Dylan C.. 2006 . Population demography, resource use, and movement in cooperatively breeding Micronesian Kingfishers.. Doctorate thesis . Oregon State University . 26 May 2019.
3. Kesler. Dylan C.. Haig. Susan M.. May 2007. Conservation biology for suites of species: Demographic modeling for Pacific island kingfishers. Biological Conservation. en. 136. 4. 520–530. 10.1016/j.biocon.2006.12.023. 52254797 . University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
4. Kesler. Dylan C.. Haig. Susan M.. May 2007. Multiscale Habitat Use and Selection in Cooperatively Breeding Micronesian Kingfishers. Journal of Wildlife Management. en. 71. 3. 765–772. 10.2193/2006-011. 4104260. 0022-541X.