Basic Information
Scientific classification
- Chinese name: White-backed jadeite
- Scientific name: New Britain Kingfisher, *Todirhamphus albonotatus*, *Halcyon albonotata*, White-backed Kingfisher, New Britain Kingfisher
- Classification: Climbing birds
- Genus and species: Order Coraciiformes, Family Kingfisher, Genus Aldebaran
Vital signs data
- Body length: No verification information available.
- Weight: No verification information available.
- Lifespan: No verification data available.
Significant features
Distribution and Habitat
They typically inhabit dense forests and riverbanks near water.
Appearance
The white-backed kingfisher's plumage is primarily dark blue and white. Its head and wings are bright dark blue, while its neck, lores, back, chest, and abdomen are entirely white. It has a wide black eye stripe. It also has black claws, a black beak, and black eyes.
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 white-backed kingfisher, scientifically known as *Todirhamphus albonotatus* or *Halcyon albonotata*, is a bird belonging to the genus *Todirhamphus* in the family Kingfisheridae.
White-backed kingfishers typically 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, snakes, and lizards.
White-backed kingfishers nest on earthen cliffs or river embankments, using their beaks to dig tunnel-like burrows, 60 cm deep, 20 cm wide, and 10 cm high, oval in shape. These burrows are generally unlined. Eggs are laid directly on the ground inside the burrow. Some also burrow into tree trunks to make nests. The eggs are nearly round, pure white, and approximately 29.4 × 26.2 mm in size.
Listed in the IUCN Red List of Birds, ver 3.1: 2008.
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