Basic Information
Scientific classification
- Chinese name: Aruxian Jade
- Scientific name: Tanysiptera hydrocharis, Little paradise kingfisher
- 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
Distributed in the islands of the Pacific Ocean (Aru Island and surrounding islands in Papua New Guinea).
Appearance
The Aruxian Kingfisher differs between sexes. The male has a purplish-blue head, body, and wings, but the colors are not uniform; the upper body and wings are more vibrantly colored, while the shoulders, lower back, tail, and cape are almost black. The underparts, from the chin and throat, are entirely white. The tail is blue with two 12cm-long, deep blue ribbon-like tail feathers that tip into a swollen white racket shape. The wing coverts are black. The bill is red, and the iris is dark brown. The legs are olive-brown. The female has a brownish-gray upper body, a white underparts, and a short tail without ribbons.
Detailed introduction
The Little Paradise Kingfisher, scientifically known as *Tanysiptera hydrocharis*, is a species belonging to the genus *Tanysiptera* in the family Kingfisheridae.
The Arusian 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 sways intermittently. 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, as well as small reptiles such as lizards. Sometimes it gets its feathers very dirty.
The Arusian Kingfisher nests in termite mounds, with both sexes working together to dig a burrow four feet above the ground. It measures 15 cm x 13 cm. The female typically lays five eggs, and both parents share the responsibility of raising the chicks.
Listed in the IUCN Red List of Birds, ver 3.1: 2008.
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