Pacific kingfisher
A medium-sized tree kingfisher of the South Pacific islands.
The Pacific kingfisher (Todiramphus sacer) is a medium-sized tree kingfisher found across the South Pacific, from American Samoa and Fiji to Tonga, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. It was once classified as a subspecies of the collared kingfisher.
German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin first described this bird in 1788, placing it in the genus *Alcedo* with the scientific name *Alcedo sacra*. He based his work on the "sacred kingfisher" described and illustrated by English ornithologist John Latham in 1782, who noted that Polynesians revered and protected these birds. Latham had examined a specimen from the Leverian Museum in London, collected during Captain James Cook's third Pacific voyage (1776–1780). In 1919, Alexander Wetmore designated Tongatabu as the type locality. Today, the Pacific kingfisher is one of 30 species in the genus *Todiramphus*, established by René Lesson in 1827. The genus name combines *Todus* with the Ancient Greek *rhamphos* (meaning "bill"), while the species name *sacer* is Latin for "sacred." A 2015 molecular study revealed that the collared kingfisher (*Todiramphus chloris*) was paraphyletic, leading to the Pacific kingfisher being elevated to full species status, with many former collared kingfisher subspecies moved to *T. sacer*.
Twenty-two subspecies are recognized across the region. In Vanuatu, these include *T. s. torresianus*, *T. s. santoensis*, *T. s. juliae*, *T. s. erromangae*, and *T. s. tannensis*. The Solomon Islands host *T. s. pavuvu*, *T. s. mala*, *T. s. solomonis*, *T. s. sororum*, *T. s. amoenus*, *T. s. ornatus*, *T. s. brachyurus*, *T. s. vicina*, *T. s. utupuae*, and *T. s. melanodera*. Fiji has *T. s. vitiensis*, *T. s. marinus*, and *T. s. eximius*. Polynesian subspecies are *T. s. regina*, *T. s. pealei*, *T. s. manuae*, and the nominate *T. s. sacer* from central and southern Tonga.
This bird measures about 25 cm (9.8 in) long, with a wingspan of roughly 35 cm (14 in) and a weight between 51 and 100 g (1.8–3.5 oz). It has striking blue-green plumage, white underparts, and a distinct orange bill. Its calls vary by location, but the most typical is a loud, harsh, metallic sound repeated several times.
The Pacific kingfisher is most common in coastal areas, especially mangrove swamps, but also lives in farmland, open woodland, grassland, and gardens. Compared to the collared kingfisher, it is usual
- field
- Ornithology
- species
- Pacific kingfisher (Todiramphus sacer)
- size
- Approximately 25 cm (9.8 in) long, wingspan roughly 35 cm (14 in)
- weight
- 51 to 100 g (1.8 to 3.5 oz)
- range
- South Pacific islands: American Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu
- subspecies
- 22 recognised subspecies
Lore & Background
The Pacific kingfisher was formally described in 1788 by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in his revised and expanded edition of Carl Linnaeus's Systema Naturae. He placed it with the other kingfishers in the genus Alcedo and coined the binomial name Alcedo sacra. Gmelin based his description on the 'sacred kingfisher' that had been described and illustrated in 1782 by the English ornithologist John Latham in his multi-volume A General Synopsis of Birds. Latham noted that the Polynesians revered and protected kingfishers. Latham had access to a specimen in the Leverian Museum in London that had been collected during James Cook's third voyage to the Pacific Ocean from 1776 to 1780. The type locality was designated as the island of Tongatabu by Alexander Wetmore in 1919. The Pacific kingfisher is now one of 30 species placed in the genus Todiramphus that was introduced in 1827 by René Lesson. The word Todiramphus combines the genus name Todus with the Ancient Greek rhamphos meaning 'bill'. The specific epithet sacer is Latin meaning 'sacred'.
Reader's Guide
The Pacific kingfisher was formerly considered as a subspecies of the collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris). A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2015 found that T. chloris was paraphyletic. In the changes to create monophyletic species, T. sacer was promoted to species status and many of the T. chloris subspecies were moved to T. sacer. It has a variety of calls which vary geographically. The most typical call is loud, harsh and metallic and is repeated several times. It is most commonly found in coastal areas, particularly in mangrove swamps. It also inhabits farmland, open woodland, grassland and gardens. It is usually seen further inland than the collared kingfisher, where it was previously considered conspecific, ranging into forest or into mountain areas. Small crabs are the favoured food in coastal regions but a wide variety of other animals are eaten. The nest is a hole, either a natural tree hole or a burrow excavated by the birds themselves in a rotten tree, termite mound or earth bank. Two to seven rounded whitish eggs are laid directly on the floor of the burrow with no nest material used. Both parents take part in incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks. The young birds leave the nest about 44 days after hatching. Two broods are often raised in a year.
Did You Know?
- The Pacific kingfisher was previously considered a subspecies of the collared kingfisher.
- It was formally described in 1788 by Johann Friedrich Gmelin based on the 'sacred kingfisher' described by John Latham in 1782.
- The specific epithet sacer is Latin meaning 'sacred'.
- It has 22 recognised subspecies across Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Polynesia.
More in Birds of the Pacific Ocean 1-24
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