Collared Kingfisher mating

Posted by BESG on 3 June 09, Wednesday
Contributed by Walad Jamaludin

Walad Jamaludin a.k.a. walj had a rare opportunity of photographing a pair of Collared Kingfishers (Todiramphus chloris) in the act of copulation. This is an extremely brief act with the male suddenly mounting the female. And with a swift turn of the tail, he completes the act when his cloaca comes into contact with that of the female, in what is commonly known as a cloacal kiss.

Prior to copulation, the birds would have paired, first remaining in their separate territories, but later when they came together, the territories would have been defended by their loud calling in flight and displaying from a perch. The pair would also indulge in courtship feeding when the male would feed the female before copulation.

Reference:
Woodall, P. F., 2001. Family Alcedinidae (Kingfishers). In: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal (eds.), Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 6. Mousebirds to Hornbills. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp. 130-249.

Images by Walad Jamaludin.

This post is a cooperative effort between NaturePixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.

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Categories: Courtship-Mating, Kingfishers

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