Halcyon Smyrnensis Research Articles

Diet of White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis [Linnaeus, 1758]: Alcedinidae: Coraciiformes) inferred from pictorial postings in social media

White-throated kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis (family Alcedinidae, order Coraciiformes) is known to distribute widely in Asia, including Sinai Peninsula, South Asia, China, until Southeast Asia. As each population has become resident to their respective range, it has adapted to its environment which effect on diet they eat. Recall that the wide distribution of this kingfisher, it is difficult to do field survey to observe the range of its dietary. This study aims to do an inventory on the diet of white-throated kingfisher by using social media as survey platform. Instagram and Facebook were surveyed by making inquiries using keywords such as ‘white-throated kingfisher,’ ‘Halcyon smyrnensis,’ and other terms related to this kingfisher species. The query specifically sought pictorial postings instead of non-pictorial ones, in order to analyze preys’ classification. More than 1,200 posts were retrieved from the two social media, yet only 89 posts counted as they showed predation activities by this species. Identification on the preys signifies that they consist of arthropods (27.0%), fishes (19.1%), amphibians (13.5%), reptiles (20.2%), other birds (6.7%), mammal (1.1%) and unknown prey items (12.4%). Including into these preys were monitor lizard, munia, locusts, crickets, beetles, cockroaches, and snails which may become pests in agricultural area. The wide array of diet consumed by white-throated kingfisher not only proves its opportunistic nature in preying food items, nevertheless it also provides opportunity to use this bird as natural biological control in agricultural system.

Long-term anthropogenic stressors cause declines in kingfisher assemblages in wetlands in southwestern India

Fragile wetland habitats are susceptible to multiple threats from anthropogenic activities. Direct waste deposition, habitat modification and overexploitation of fish have caused alternations in food webs in wetlands. Kingfishers are ecological indicators with the potential ability to respond to the minute changes in their microenvironment. Their abundance and distribution at wetland habitats are affected by multiple environmental factors. We studied the kingfisher assemblages in India to determine proximate and ultimate causes of their decline. We recorded the abundance of five species of kingfishers across five wetland habitats from 2011 to 2020 in Kerala, southwest coast of India. Kingfishers were counted twice in a month between 6.00 and 12.00 hrs. Air temperature, water temperature, humidity and turbidity were recorded. We measured fish diversity and abundance and organic waste as an additional explanatory variable. One-way ANOVA, Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average model and structural equation modelling were used to determine which explanatory variables affected kingfisher populations. Air temperature, water temperature and turbidity increased significantly during the study and had negative effects on the abundance of kingfishers. Humidity decreased significantly but had no effect on the kingfisher abundance. Fish abundance declined and had a strong positive effect on the abundance of kingfishers. The analysis of incidence of wastes across the study areas revealed that, all the sites were severely polluted. We also observed drastic decline in the abundance of all the species of kingfishers studied across the sites with a rapid decline in Pied Kingfisher and slower decline in White-throated Kingfisher. Black-capped Kingfisher is a local migrant to the study areas and is already red listed and categorized as Vulnerable (VU). This study suggests that kingfisher assemblages are declining along with the health status of the habitat. Urgent action is needed to help in designing and implementing effective management strategies for the sustainability of wetlands in the region.

The Impact Of Palm Oil Plantations On Bird Diversity In Palm Oil Estates In Nagari Salareh Aia, Palembayan Sub-District, Agam District

This study aimed to see the effect of the existence of oil palm agricultural land on bird populations in the Agam area of West Sumatra Province. Observations were made directly by taking primary and secondary data.The species of birds that were identified during the observations were Pycnonotus goiaver (Merbah Cerocok) important value index 68.75 %, Streptopelia chinensis (Tekukur) IVI 42.50, Prinia familiaris (Prenjak Java) IVI 35.00 %, Colocalia esculenta (Cow Swallow) IVI 18.75 %, Copsychus saularis musicus (Murai) IVI 13.75 %, Halcyon smyrnensis (Javanese gecko) IVI 8.75 %, Rhipidura javanica (Stripe fan) IVI 6.25 % and Porzana cinerea (White Eyebrow Rat) with IVI 6.25%. The diversity of bird species in the oil palm plantations is low because only 8 bird species were found. The results of this study were basic data that need to be developed because there are effects that need to be multiplied further. The existence of oil palm plantations has an effect on the diversity of animal populations, especially birds around the land.

The avian diversity of Chemmattamvayal Wetlands and adjacent areas of Kasaragod District, Kerala, India

The avian diversity of Chemmattamvayal Wetlands and adjacent areas, in Kasaragod District, Kerala State, was recorded from December 2014 to March 2018. The methodology followed was mainly incidental observations using binoculars. Findings presented here are also based on the data collected from eBird, a citizen science based online platform. A total of 145 bird species, belonging to 17 orders and 50 families were recorded during the study. Among them, 42 species were winter migrants and 97 were seen throughout the year. The highest number of birds were recorded during the month of January and the lowest in June. The present work gains importance as a literature on the avian fauna of the district. White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis, Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii, and Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis were recorded highest in terms of relative abundance. The importance of these wetlands and adjacent areas as the stepping stone for trans-continental migrants is discussed.

Distribution of Six Urban Bird Species in Urban Agglomeration of Central Region of Peninsular Malaysia Using Ebird Database

Developing countries are undergoing rapid urbanisation to fulfil the high demands of incremental population growth, construction, and development. Excessive development has negative impacts on biodiversity by altering or destroying habitats. However, each bird species may respond differently to habitat alteration. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the distribution of urban bird species in metropolitan cities and nearby areas in Peninsular Malaysia. The main objective of this study was to determine the distribution patterns of six aesthetically valuable urban bird species (Black-naped Oriole [Oriolus chinensis], Yellow-vented Bulbul [Pycnonotus goiavier], White-throated Kingfisher [Halcyon smyrnensis], Pink-necked Green-Pigeon [Treron vernans], Coppersmith Barbet [Psilopogon haemacephalus] and Common Iora [Aegithina tiphia]) in Greater Kuala Lumpur (the Klang Valley region) using observations from a citizen science (eBird) database. We mapped species abundance throughout the focal area using ArcGIS and analysed the data using Minitab. Three urban bird species dominated, with the highest number of observations recorded: Yellow-vented Bulbul (46.59%), Pink-necked Green-Pigeon (19.25%), and Black-naped Oriole (13.00%). While, the Coppersmith Barbet had the lowest recorded observations (2.76%). Species abundance differed significantly across the study region (F=5.12,p<0.05), with the studied species’ occurrence increasing as green spaces increased. Such dynamic mapping is crucial for better understanding the mechanisms of the persistence of urban biodiversity. We suggest creating more green areas and planting roadside trees to provide green corridors within cities to help sustain urban biodiversity.

A comparison of the breeding biology of White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Linnaeus, 1758 in plains and hilly areas of Bangladesh

The breeding biology of White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis was studied in plains and hilly areas from September 2008 to August 2011. Four villages under Savar upazilla were selected for plains, and Chittagong University Campus, Chattagram for the hilly area. The breeding season started in February in hills and April on plain. Mean (SD) time required to build a new nest was 11.3 (3.9) days in plains and 15.3 (0.57) days in hills. Clutch size was 3–4 in hills and 3–7 in plains. Mean egg parameters (length, width, and weight) and mean egg volume and surface area were similar in both areas. The mean incubation period on plains was 16.4 (1.2) days, in hills 14.1 (0.7) days. On plains fledging success was 52%, compared to 57% in hills. Theft by local inhabitants was a major reason for fledgling loss in plains, hence increased public awareness may reduce nestling mortality and increase breeding success.

Breeding biology of the White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis smyrnensis, with emphasis on color and vocalization

Breeding biology of the White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis smyrnensis, with emphasis on color and vocalization

Conservation prioritization through combined approach of umbrella species selection, occupancy estimation, habitat suitability and connectivity analysis of kingfisher: A study from an internationally important wetland complex (Ramsar site) in India

Assessment of occupancy status, as well as projection of suitable habitats and connectivity of wetland indicator species, and thereby identification of potential conservation umbrella and projection of conservation priority areas are often considered important for wetland conservation. Kingfishers are wetland indicators and suffer from habitat degradation due to world-wide destruction of wetlands. Therefore, they can be considered potential candidates for conservation intervention. The present knowledge about the spatial distribution of suitable areas and habitat connectivity of kingfishers at a landscape level is non-existent. We conducted extensive surveys and recorded four kingfisher species in East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW; Ramsar site No. 1208; ∼125 km2). The occupancy estimates were highest for White-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis, WTK), followed by common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis, CK), stork-billed kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis, SBK) and lowest for pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis, PK). WTK has the highest amount of suitable areas followed by CK, PK and SBK. The spatial overlap of suitable habitats showed that SBK is the potential umbrella species and therefore provides conservation benefits to other kingfisher species and eventually to the EKW. In addition to water areas, emergent vegetation, crop lands and tree cover are other important habitats for kingfishers. The connectivity analyses revealed that suitable habitats were disjunct and are under various anthropogenic threats. Therefore, we need to protect suitable habitats and connectivity between them. Finally, we identified conservation priority areas. Conservation intervention on these high priority zones will not only be beneficial for kingfishers, but also for other avifauna having similar resource requirements as well as the wetland parse.

Keanekaragaman Jenis Burung Ekosistem Danau

This study aims to determine the diversity of bird species found in the Natural Tourism Park "Dendam Tak Sudah Lake" at Bengkulu City. The method used was direct survey in the field by exploring. The sampling was carried out by photographing and observing birds directly in the Natural Tourism Park "Dendam Tak Sudah Lake" at Bengkulu City. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively by looking at the morphology of the birds and identified based on reference books. The results showed that the birds found in the Natural Tourism Park "Dendam Tak Sudah Lake" were Collocalia esculanta, Halcyon smyrnensis, Streptopelia chinensis, Centropus bengalensis, Ardea cinerea, Ardea Purpurea, Ixobrychus cinnamomeus, Leptoptilos javanicus, Amaurphyrio procurornis, Procurornis. montanus, Pycnonotus goiavier, Lanius schach, Lonchura punculata and Lonchura maja. The index of bird species diversity at this location is H'= 2,413. In conclusion, the number of bird species found was 15 species from 11 families with a moderate diversity index.
 Keywords: Birds, Species Diversity, Natural Tourism Park "Dendam Tak Sudah Lake"

Documenting Nesting and Breeding Ecology with Time Activity Budget of White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) in Swat, Pakistan

Documenting Nesting and Breeding Ecology with Time Activity Budget of White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) in Swat, Pakistan

Bird visit to Ficus benjamina in two urbanization gradients in the tropics

Fig trees area believed to be important bird habitat in the tropics, including in urban areas. The research objective was to reveal the bird species that visited Ficus benjamina in the low and high urbanization gradients in the tropics. Data were obtained in IPB University Darmaga Campus (low urbanization) and Sentul City (high urbanization) in Bogor (West Java, Indonesia), through direct observations of four trees per site in the morning, midday, late afternoon, and night, totalling 276 observation hours. Total of 29 bird species visited F. benjamina trees (26 species in low urbanization, 12 species in high), mainly insectivores, nectarivores, and frugivores birds. Nine species were common in both sites, i.e., Spotted Dove, Plaintive Cuckoo, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Small Minivet, Common Iora, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Common Tailorbird, Scarlet-headed Flowerpecker, and Olive-backed Sunbirds. Nocturnal birds (Collared Scops Owl, Large-tailed Nightjar) were present in low urbanization, but absent in high urbanization site, so did kingfishers (White-throated Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher) and some other urbanization-prone species. The high urbanization site was characterized by the presence of Eurasian Tree Sparrow at the fig tree. This study showed that F. benjamina has an important role for diurnal and nocturnal birds, even in the high urbanization site.

Growth and Development of Nestlings of White-Throated Kingfisher, Halcyon Smyrnensis (Linnaeus, 1758)

The growth and development of the nestlings of white-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) showed that at the hatching day, the mean body weight was 14.6±1.0 g which gained up to 69.9±3.0 g during fledging. The mean length of the body, wing, beak, head, tarsus and feet were 59.4±12.4, 19.4±5.7, 3.1±1.2, 11.7±1.4, 8.5±1.8 and 17.3±3.6 mm, respectively at the hatching day and 203.5±14.1, 105.7±5.8, 40.4±1.3, 29.1±1.1, 14.9±0.4 and 29.8±0.7 mm, respectively during fledging day. The primaries, rectrices and the claw was started to grow from 3rd day hatching and grew up to 67.8±5.6, 27.7±3.4 and 5.2±0.2 mm, respectively during fledging time.
 Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 46(1): 71-80, June 2020

Unusual nesting behaviour of white-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)

Unusual nesting behaviour of white-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)

Halcyon smyrnensis predation on Hemidactylus frenatus in an urban ecosystem in national capital territory of Delhi

This note reports on an observation made on the predation of an individual of Hemidactylus frenatus by the Halcyon smyrnensis in an urban park in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Documenting such small behavior and responses of the wild species would be of paramount importance in management and conservation of the native species in an urban ecosystem.

Hunting Behavior and Feeding Success of Three Sympatric Kingfishers’ Species in Two Adjacent Wetlands in Southwestern India

We studied the foraging patterns of three kingfishers’ species, White Throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), Small Blue Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) and Lesser Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis); hereafter stated as WTK, SBK, LPK respectively; from December 2015 to September 2016. This work was carried out in the two wetlands located at Mavoor (N 11° 15′ 73.3″ and E 75° 55′ 94.4″) and Vazhakkad (N 11° 14′ 66.0″ and E 75° 56′ 81.2″), Kerala in southwestern India. We examined the association of foraging behavior and hunting technique with study sites, seasons and kingfishers’ species, and we investigated the variation of feeding success rate over species, sites, seasons, distance-to-water and used hunting technique. The feeding behavior of the three species dominated in both the sites, while resting and flying behaviors were observed more in Mavoor. All species spent more time in feeding than at rest or in flight with LPK and WTK being the most and the least active species respectively. During breeding and post-migration seasons kingfishers increased feeding behavior at the expense of resting and flying behaviors. The LPK mainly hunted using hover-plunge while the two other species, particularly WTK, adopted more the perch-plunge technique. The feeding success rate varied significantly between kingfishers species: highest in WTK and lowest in LPK.

Characterization of three new mitochondrial genomes of Coraciiformes (Megaceryle lugubris, Alcedo atthis, Halcyon smyrnensis) and insights into their phylogenetics.

Coraciiformes contains more than 200 species with great differences on external morphology and life-style. The evolutionary relationships within Coraciiformes and the phylogenetic placement of Coraciiformes in Aves are still questioned. Mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequences are popular markers in molecular phylogenetic studies of birds. This study presented the genome characteristics of three new mitogenomes in Coraciiformes and explored the phylogenetic relationships among Coraciiformes and other five related orders with mitogenome data of 30 species. The sizes of three mitogenomes were 17,383 bp (Alcedo atthis), 17,892 bp (Halcyon smyrnensis) and 17,223 bp (Megaceryle lugubris). Each mitogenome contained one control region and 37 genes that were common in vertebrate mitogenomes. The organization of three mitogenomes was identical to the putative ancestral gene order in Aves. Among 13 available Coraciiform mitogenomes, 12 protein coding genes showed indications of negative selection, while the MT-ND6 presented sign of positive selection or relaxed purifying selection. The phylogenetic results supported that Upupidae and Bucerotidae should be separated from Coraciiformes, and that Coraciiformes is more closely related to Piciformes than to Strigiformes, Trogoniformes and Cuculiformes. Our study provide valuable data for further phylogenetic investigation of Coraciiformes.

Histological and histochemical studies of the esophagus and stomach in two types of birds with different feeding behaviors

The present work aims to investigate the morphometrical, histological, and histochemical, aspects of the esophagus and stomach in two different Egyptian birds having different food habits. The animals under investigation are Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), and Hoopoe (Upupa epops). These birds were caught from Abou-Rawash Constituency and Nile Delta in Egypt. The birds were dissected; after which the esophagus and stomach were fixed and stained for the comparative histological study. From the current results, it was revealed that, there are some morphometric differences between kingfisher and hoopoe in both esophagus and stomach. The esophagus wall in Kingfisher composed of only three layers or tunics: mucosa, muscularis and adventitia arranged from the inside to outside, referring to the absence of tunica submucosa;whereas, the esophagus of the Hoopoe consists of four distinct functional layers; mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and the outermost serosa. Stomach in the two studied birds is divided into two parts, glandular or true stomach (proventriculus) and the muscular stomach or gizzard (ventriculus). The glandular stomach showed moderate differences in length and width between kingfisher and hoopoe.The mucosa of proventriculus in the kingfisher consists of number of large compound folds which appear as finger-shaped structures with gastric pits; mucous cells are most conspicuously distinguished by their empty appearance. While, the mucosa of proventriculus in the hoopoe have both parietal cells and chief cells which occur in the middle portion of gastric glands. The gizzard wall has a thick keratinized layer called koilin, the secretion of the gizzard glands forms the koilin in hoopoe but in kingfisher the gizzard wall is small and very thin keratinoid lining.

Comparative Morphometric Studies of the Cranium in the Three Types of Birds with Different Feeding Behaviors

The present work was particularly designed to study the comparative anatomy of the skull of three different feeding Aves species inhibiting in Egypt. This study demonstrates that both size and shape are important components in the morphological differentiation of the skulls of carnivorous Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), insectivore Hoopoes (Upupa epops) and Omnivores Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) which clarify the relationship between size, shape of the skull and the type of feeding behavior. This paper presents a morphometric analysis of Kingfisher, Hoopoes and chicken skulls. Analyses are performed using traditional analytic and morphometric methods.

Morphometric Studies of the Esophagus and Stomach in Two Types of Birds Have Different Feeding Behaviors

Aim of the work: The present work aims to investigate the morphometrical, aspects of the esophagus and stomach in two different Egyptian birds having different food habits. Materials and Methods: The animals under investigation are Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), and Hoopoes (Upupa epops). These birds were caught from Abou-Rawash. Constituency and the Nile Delta in Egypt. The birds were dissected the esophagus and stomach were fixed and stained for the morphometric and microscopic comparative study. Results: From the current results, it was revealed that there are some morphometric differences between the esophagus in kingfishers and hoopoe. The esophagus of kingfishers is shorter than hoopoe, while the stomach (proventriculus length and wide) are moderately bigger than in hoopoe species. Stomach in the two studied birds is divided into two parts, glandular or true stomach (proventriculus) and the muscular stomach or gizzard (ventriculus). The glandular stomach of both kingfisher and hoopoe showing moderate differences in length and width. The relative size of these organs was variable according to the food habits and this may be the reasons of the differences between the two stomachs, so, in the birds that eat hard food items as in kingfisher proventriculus (bird species under investigation) was wide due to the high number of glands component.

Bird Transect Survey at Kampung Baung Bayam: A Potential Ecotourism Attraction at Homestays in Kelantan, Malaysia

A direct observation survey of birds on a 2 km transect carried out in Kampung Baung Bayam,Kelantan revealed at least 20 species of birds. Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier), ZebraDove (Geopelia striata), Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)and White-throat Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) were commonly spotted during this study. Acheck on the conservation status in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species indicates that there isa need to add more data on avifauna in this area for conservation planning and management.