Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)

Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) – The Coastal Jewel of Sundarban

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Taxonomy & Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Coraciiformes
• Family: Alcedinidae
• Genus: Todiramphus
• Species: Todiramphus chloris

The Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris), also known as the White-collared Kingfisher, is a medium-sized kingfisher species widely distributed across coastal regions, mangroves, and riverine habitats.

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Morphology & Identification

The Collared Kingfisher is a striking bird with vibrant plumage and distinct physical features:

• Size: Approximately 23–25 cm in length.
• Wingspan: Around 35–40 cm.
• Weight: Roughly 50–70 grams.
• Plumage:
  • The upperparts are bright turquoise-blue.
  • The underparts are white or pale buff.
  • A characteristic white “collar” around the neck, giving the bird its name.
• Bill: Stout, long, and slightly curved with a black upper mandible and a pale lower mandible.
• Eyes: Dark brown and sharp, providing excellent vision for hunting.
• Legs & Feet: Short, dark, and adapted for perching on branches and exposed roots.

This bird’s brilliant blue-green plumage and prominent white collar make it easily distinguishable in its habitat.

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Habitat & Distribution

The Collared Kingfisher has a wide range across tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in coastal and wetland ecosystems.

• Primary Habitats:

  • Mangroves (especially in the Sundarban).
  • Coastal forests.
  • Estuaries, riverbanks, and tidal creeks.
  • Open woodlands near water bodies.

• Geographical Range:

  • Found across South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.
  • In India, its presence is notable along coastal states and mangrove-rich regions.

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Behavior & Ecology

Feeding Habits

The Collared Kingfisher is a carnivorous bird with a diverse diet. It primarily hunts small prey, using its sharp eyesight and precision hunting skills.

• Diet Includes:
  • Crustaceans (crabs, shrimp).
  • Small fish.
  • Insects (beetles, grasshoppers, dragonflies).
  • Reptiles (small lizards, skinks).
  • Occasionally, frogs and small mammals.

It perches on low branches or exposed roots, scanning the surroundings before swiftly diving to capture prey.

Breeding & Nesting

• Breeding Season: Varies with location but typically between March and August.
• Nesting Sites:
  • Often nests in mangrove tree hollows or mud banks.
  • Sometimes uses abandoned burrows of other birds.
• Clutch Size: 2 to 5 eggs, incubated by both parents.
• Parental Care: Both male and female share responsibilities in incubation and feeding the chicks.

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Special Features & Adaptations

1. Mangrove Specialist:

   • Unlike many kingfishers, which prefer freshwater habitats, the Collared Kingfisher thrives in saltwater ecosystems, making it perfectly adapted to the Sundarban mangrove forests.

2. Adaptation to Brackish Waters:

   • Unlike typical fish-eating kingfishers, this species consumes a variety of prey suited to the saline and brackish water conditions.

3. Territorial & Aggressive Nature:

   • Known for its bold and aggressive behavior, often defending its feeding and nesting territories against other birds.

4. Unique Call:

   • Emits a harsh “kek-kek-kek” or “klee-klee” call, often heard echoing through the mangroves.

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Presence in Sundarban

The Sundarban, the world’s largest mangrove ecosystem, provides an ideal habitat for the Collared Kingfisher due to its abundant crustaceans, small fish, and mangrove perching sites.

• Key Areas in Sundarban:

  • Found in the dense mangrove forests, especially along creeks and estuarine zones.
  • Commonly seen in Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary, Dobanki, and Netidhopani.

• Ecological Role in Sundarban:

  • Helps control populations of crabs and insects, maintaining ecological balance.
  • Serves as a bio-indicator for mangrove health, as its presence signifies a thriving ecosystem.

• Conservation Status:

  • IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC) globally.
  • However, in Sundarban, threats like habitat degradation, rising sea levels, and pollution could affect its long-term population.

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Conclusion

The Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) is a charismatic bird of the Sundarban, well-adapted to its mangrove ecosystem. With its striking colors, specialized feeding habits, and territorial behavior, it remains one of the most iconic avian species of coastal and estuarine habitats.

However, conservation of Sundarban’s delicate mangrove ecosystem is crucial to ensuring the continued survival of this species, along with other wildlife dependent on these unique wetlands.