Kingfishers to Mousebirds

3.8 Kingshers to mousebirds - Atlas of Birds uncorrected proofs Copyrighted Material Kingfishers to Mousebirds he orders featured on this spread include many of the planet’s most P Size of orders Trogoniformes: trogons R Teye-catching bird families. Some, such as kingfishers and rollers, Number of species in order Trogons make up a single family, the Trogonidae, are known for their dazzling plumage. Others, such as toucans and Percentage of total bird species which numbers seven genera, including the spectacular quetzals (Pharomachrus spp.) of hornbills, sport preposterously big bills. Though smaller species Coraciiformes South and Central America. Their weak feet are in some groups may superficially resemble songbirds, all have a 403 species unique among animals in having a heterodactyl number of key anatomical differences from the Passeriformes, and 4.1% toe arrangement: first and second toes facing none can sing. backwards; third and fourth toes forwards. They are colourful but retiring birds that These orders also share many features of their breeding behaviour, inhabit tropical forests worldwide – with the with the majority of families and species nesting in holes, and many greatest diversity in the Neotropics – and use performing flamboyant courtship displays. The exception to this rule Piciformes their short, broad bill to feed on insects and are the Coliiformes of Sub-Saharan Africa, which are neither colourful 403 species fruit, generally gleaned from the branches in 4.1% a brief fluttering flight. Trogons are typically nor cavity nesters – they build a simple cup-shaped nest in foliage – and have located by their soft, insistent call, given ) an evolutionary history that sets them apart from other near-passerines. s from just below the canopy. All species n a g e have soft, richly coloured plumage – often l e n o featuring greens and reds – and are strongly g o r T sexually dimorphic, with females much duller ( n o Trogoniformes g o than males. r T 37 species Coliiformes t n a g 0.37% 6 species e El distribution of order Trogoniformes 0.06% Q Coraciiformes: kingfishers, rollers, Coliiformes: mousebirds R distribution of order Coraciiformes allies Mousebirds comprise a single family (Coliidae) distribution of family Meropidae Most families in this order are confined to the Old of just six species, which has no clear links with (bee-eaters) World, especially tropical and subtropical regions. other modern birds and is all that remains today of a much more diverse prehistoric line. Entirely ) Kingfishers (Alcedinidae) are striking birds with es id confined to Sub-Saharan Africa, they are the ko large heads and powerful bills. They hunt from oc ull only bird order endemic to that continent. These Wh ps b a perch: some for fish, others for terrestrial prey. ite-f ero ronted Bee-eater (M Bee-eaters (Meropidae) catch insects in agile flight. smallish, slender birds have long tails and soft, Most are highly colourful, with slender bodies greyish-brown plumage. They feed on buds, fruit and often elongated central tail feathers, and nest and berries, clambering acrobatically among the in large sandbank colonies. Rollers (Coraciidae) foliage and often scurrying around at low-level get their name from the aerial courtship acrobatics like rodents, hence their common name. Other in which they flaunt their bright blue plumage. characteristic features include a small crest Hornbills (Bucerotidae), found in tropical and and short, stubby bill. Small flocks frequent subtropical Africa and Asia, are generally larger lightly wooded country, moving from birds with hefty bills that, in some species, carry a one feeding area to another in direct prominent casque. They prey on everything from flight, and often sunbathing on top of fruit to small animals. New World coraciiformes bushes to dry out after rain. are – except for a few kingfishers – confined to the tiny todies (Todidae), of the Caribbean, and colourful motmots (Momotidae), of Central and South America. Speckled Mousebird distribution of the order Coliiformes (Colius striatus) Q Piciformes: woodpeckers, toucans, distribution of order Piciformes P Digging deep allies distribution of family Lybiidae Nearly all birds in this order have zygodactyl The Coraciiformes, Piciformes and Trogoniformes all nest predominantly in (African barbets) feet – two toes forward and two back – which offer more stability when climbing tree holes. Many species, including most woodpeckers and trogons, use tree holes. trunks. Most are insectivores and, apart Others, including most bee-eaters and many kingfishers, use a hole in a from jacamars (Galbulidae), do not sand or earth bank. Most are “primary cavity-nesters”, which means that grow down feathers. The best-known they use their bill to chisel out their own hole, rather than taking over an and largest family is the woodpeckers R e existing one. Few make a nest, though some may line the hole with a d (Picidae), which also includes the - a n little plant material. Eggs are generally white, for better visibility in the d piculets and wrynecks. Its members are - y e l found worldwide, except Madagascar, lo darkness. w B a Australasia, and the polar regions, with rb Perhaps the most peculiar nesting arrangement is that of the et (T most frequenting forest or woodland – rac Bucerotinae hornbills. The female seals herself into the egg hyp though a few have adapted to treeless habitats. honu s erythrocephalus) Other families include the fruit-eating barbets chamber by blocking up the entrance hole, using a mixture (three families) and toucans (Ramphastidae), the of mud, droppings and fruit pulp, leaving only a tiny slit latter confined to the Neotropics and equipped through which the male can feed her. She remains there for the entire incubation, with a huge but lightweight bill. The honeyguides until the chicks have grown too large for her to remain inside the chamber with them, (Indicatoridae), of Africa and Asia, are brood Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill parasites and uniquely able to digest beeswax. and undergoes a complete moult in the process. (Tockus leucomelas) flying with food to tree hole. Copyright © Myriad Editions 58 59.

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