Basic Information
Scientific classification
- Chinese name: Brown-backed Jadeite
- Scientific name: Brown-backed Paradise Kingfisher (Tanysiptera danae)
- Classification: Climbing birds
- Family and Genus: Order Coraciiformes, Family Kingfisher, Genus Kingfisher
Vital signs data
- Body length: No verification information available.
- Weight: No verification information available.
- Lifespan: No verification data available.
Significant features
Distribution and Habitat
The brown-backed jadeite is distributed across the Pacific islands (including Taiwan, the Dongsha Islands, Xisha Islands, Zhongsha Islands, and Nansha Islands of China, as well as the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra and Java in Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea).
Appearance
The Brown-backed Fairy Kingfisher has a brown head, brown eye stripes, a light brownish-yellow chin and throat, a red back, chest, and belly, dark blue primary wing feathers, and dark blue to black secondary feathers. It possesses a pair of very long blue tail feathers that swell at the tips into white, flapping shapes. It has a red beak, red legs and claws, and black eyes.
Detailed introduction
The Brown-backed Paradise Kingfisher, scientifically known as *Tanysiptera danae*, is a very beautiful kingfisher.
The Brown-backed Fairy Kingfisher is a completely carnivorous kingfisher. Its hunting techniques are largely similar to other kingfisher species, but it also has its own unique characteristics. It often hides in the shade of trees near water, waiting to ambush fish and shrimp. When standing, its head remains almost still, while its tail occasionally sways. It spends most of its time foraging on the ground, digging in the soil with its beak to catch insects, including snails, beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, centipedes, and earthworms. It also eats small reptiles such as lizards. Sometimes it gets its feathers very dirty.
Brown-backed fairy kingfishers, both sexes, will work together to dig a termite-eaten hole about four feet above the ground as their nest. The nest measures 15 cm x 13 cm. The female typically lays five eggs, and both parents share the responsibility of raising the chicks.
Listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver 3.1, 2008).
Protect wild animals and ban the consumption of wild game.
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