Art Magnet - Kingfisher - Kotare

Art Magnet - Kingfisher - Kotare.

Rubber.

The sacred kingfisher is one of the best known birds in New Zealand due to the iconic photographs published over many years by Geoff Moon. These early images showed in detail the prey, the foraging skills and the development of chicks in the nest and as fledgings. Equally recognisable is the hunched silhouette waiting patiently on a powerline or other elevated perch over an estuary or mudflat which converts in a flash to a streak of green diving steeply to catch a prey item.

Kingfishers are found widely in New Zealand in a wide range of habitats: the key ingredients are elevated observation posts to hunt from, banks or suitable standing trees to excavate nests in, and open or semi-open habitats which support a range of prey items.

Identification.

A distinctive bird with a green-blue back, buff to yellow undersides and a large black bill. It has a broad black eye-stripe from lores to ear-coverts, and a white collar in adults. The underparts vary with wear; orange buff to buff when fresh but fading to cream or white when worn. The bill is black with a narrow pale strip on the lower mandible; the iris is dark brown with a black orbital ring. The legs and feet are grey or pink-brown. There are slight difference between the sexes, with females greener and duller above. Immatures are duller, with buff feather edges on upper parts and brownish mottling on the chest and collar. The distinctive hunched silhouette on power-lines over water, and direct flight between perch and food and return to perch are characteristic. Flight swift and direct with rapid shallow wing beats interspersed with fast glides.

Kingfishers have a wide range of unmusical calls, the most distinctive of which is the staccato ‘kek-kek-kek’ territorial call.

The distinctive green-blue back and cap along with heavy black bill distinguishes it from other species.

Size 9cm H x 6.5 cm W.