Chloroceryle inda
The Green-and-rufous Kingfisher (Chloroceryle inda) is a striking Neotropical gem, measuring approximately 18-22 cm (7.1-8.7 inches) in length and weighing around 30-45 grams (1.1-1.6 oz). Its plumage is characterized by glossy, dark green upperparts, a conspicuous white throat, and a rich rufous belly. Distinctive field marks include green-barred flanks and, for the male, a narrow dark green band across the rufous chest, which is absent in the female, revealing a solid rufous underside. This...
This kingfisher primarily inhabits humid lowland forests, typically found along slow-moving streams, rivers, oxbow lakes, and mangrove edges. It prefers areas with dense riparian vegetation, ranging from sea level up to approximately 1000 meters (3,300 feet) in elevation.
The diet of the Green-and-rufous Kingfisher consists predominantly of small fish, particularly characins and cichlids, complemented by aquatic insects and their larvae, and occasionally small crustaceans. It obtains its prey primarily by diving headfirst from a perch into the water.
Green-and-rufous Kingfishers are largely solitary and secretive, often observed perching quietly on low branches or roots overhanging shaded water, patiently waiting for prey. Their primary foraging strategy involves the classic kingfisher "perch-and-dive" technique, plunging headfirst into the w...
The Green-and-rufous Kingfisher boasts a wide distribution across the Neotropics, extending from southern Mexico, through Central America, and into a significant portion of South America. Its breeding range covers the humid lowlands from southeastern Veracruz and northern Oaxaca in Mexico, south ...
Least Concern
- The Green-and-rufous Kingfisher is the largest species within the genus *Chloroceryle*, distinguishing it from its smaller relatives like the American Pygmy and Green Kingfishers. - Despite its vibrant plumage, this species is notoriously difficult to spot, often blending perfectly with the dar...