Basic Information
Scientific classification
- Chinese name: Emerald Island
- Scientific name: Tahiti kingfisher, Tahitian kingfisher, *Todirhamphus veneratus*, Society kingfisher, ahiti kingfisher
- Classification: Climbing birds
- Genus and species: Order Coraciiformes, Family Kingfisher, Genus Aldebaran
Vital signs data
- Body length: Approximately 21 centimeters
- Weight: No verification information available.
- Lifespan: No verification data available.
Significant features
Distribution and Habitat
Society Island Emeralds are found only on Society Islands (including Tahiti and Morea) in the Pacific Ocean.
Society Island Emeralds live on only two islands in Polynesia. On Tahiti, they inhabit lowland forests, primarily woodlands, gardens, and plantations. On this small island, they can be found at altitudes ranging from 300 meters to as high as 1700 meters in the forest.
Appearance
The Society Island Emerald is 21 cm in length. Adult males have dark brown feathers covering their forehead, crown, and wattles. The edge of the hood is a broader, bright blue-green, forming a distinct boundary with the bright blue-green cheeks. The lores are black. The brownish-green feathers on the back and shoulders are slightly darker in the middle. The tail is olive green. The wing coverts are dark brown, and the chin is white. The center of the throat is white with red or pale yellow edges. The breast has white and black stripes, with pale yellow or red, orange, and black stripes. The belly is white, and the wings are white or pale yellow. The wings and tail are white. The upper jaw is black. The iris is dark brown, and the eyes are black. The legs are black.
The main difference between adult females and males is the presence of a black breast band. The bluish-green areas of the body are slightly darker. Juveniles resemble adult females. They have a striped breast, and their sides and abdomen are pale yellow.
The beak is thick and long, resembling a chisel, with a relatively wide base, a straight beak peak, a rounded ridge, and no nasal grooves on either side; the wings are rounded, with the first primary flight feather being the same length as or slightly shorter than the seventh primary flight feather, and the second, third, and fourth primary flight feathers being nearly the same length; the base of the primary flight feathers has white spots; the tail is rounded.
Detailed introduction
The scientific name for the Society Kingfisher is *Todirhamphus veneratus*, also known as Society Kingfisher or Ahiti Kingfisher. It has two subspecies: 1. *Todirhamphus veneratus*, found on the island of Tahiti in Society Island; 2. *Todirhamphus veneratus youngi*, found on the island of Morea in Society Island.
The calls of the Society Island Kingfisher before dawn and at dusk are very similar to those of the Forest Kingfisher. Distinguishing the two species involves a crackling sound ('kikikikiki') and a 'kikikiki' ('kikikiki'). They generally hunt alone or in pairs. Like most forest kingfishers, they are entirely carnivorous, often searching for prey in leaves or soil. Their main diet consists of invertebrates such as crickets, spiders, scorpions, and snails. They also eat small vertebrates such as small fish, small snakes, and lizards.
The Society Island Emerald prefers to burrow into tree trunks to build its nest, sometimes up to 11 meters above the ground. It lays eggs from October to December, typically laying three. The eggs are nearly round, pure white, and measure approximately 29.4 × 26.2 mm.
Listed in the IUCN Red List of Birds, ver 3.1: 2008.
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