Caridonax fulgidus
The White-rumped Kingfisher (Caridonax fulgidus) is a strikingly beautiful, medium-sized kingfisher, typically measuring 25-28 cm (10-11 inches) in length. Its most distinctive feature, and the inspiration for its common name, is a prominent, brilliant white rump patch that contrasts sharply with its otherwise dazzling iridescent blue-green to turquoise upperparts. The underparts are a rich rufous or cinnamon, extending from the throat down to the belly, complemented by a robust, black bill a...
Primarily inhabits humid lowland and hill primary rainforests, often found near streams, rivers, or forest edges, typically at elevations up to 1000-1500 meters.
Its diet is notably broad for a kingfisher, encompassing a variety of large invertebrates (e.g., grasshoppers, cicadas, beetles), small vertebrates (lizards, frogs), and some small fish, primarily caught via sallying from a perch or plunge-diving.
This kingfisher is largely solitary and diurnal, often observed perched quietly for extended periods on a shaded branch, patiently scanning for prey. It employs a 'sit-and-wait' foraging strategy, sallying from its perch to snatch insects or small vertebrates from the surrounding foliage or fores...
The White-rumped Kingfisher is strictly endemic to the Wallacean region of Indonesia, with its primary distribution centered on the large island of Sulawesi. Its range extends to several smaller satellite islands, specifically Peleng, Banggai, and Sula, which lie to the east of Sulawesi. It can b...
Least Concern
- The White-rumped Kingfisher is the sole member of its genus, *Caridonax*, making it a unique lineage among kingfishers globally. - Its striking white rump patch is clearly visible in flight, providing an instant and definitive identification mark, even from a distance. - Unlike many kingfishers...