Image of Collared Kingfisher

Description:

The Tiotala or White-Collared Kingfisher (Todirhamphus chloris) can reach 21 cm in height during adulthood, and is considered one of the most common birds of American Samoa’s rainforest. Its most notable characteristics include turquoise blue upperparts with pale or white underparts combined with the long pointed bill serve to distinguish this kingfisher from any other bird in the Pacific. During flight, they are fast and direct with rapid wingbeats; the long bill is visible in flight. The tiotala is also characterized by its frequently rising crescendo ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-i-i-e-e, occasionally a prolonged monotone ki-ki-ki-ki and also a variety of hisses and gurgles. Its habitat includes anywhere from montane forest to urban areas, foraging in mangroves or on the reef feeding mostly on large insects, lizards, young birds, and crabs. Tiotala nests in tree holes, earth banks, or rotten trees and they lay three to six white eggs. The kingfisher is widely distributed throughout from Africa through southern Asia, Indonesia and northern Australasia. Reference: Watling, Dick and Kelly, Chloe Talbot. 2001. A Guide to the Birds of Fiji & Western Polynesia. Environmental Consultants (Fiji) Ltd. Fiji.