Animalia Life

Tanysiptera galatea
SUBFAMILY
Halcyoninae
TAXONOMY
Tanysiptera galatea G. R. Gray, 1859, Manokwari, New Guinea. At least 15 subspecies, some elevated to species.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Galatea racquet-tail; French: Martin-chasseur а longs brins; German: Spatelliest; Spanish: Alciуn Colilargo Comъn.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
13–17 in (33–43 cm), 1.9–2.4 oz (55–69 g). Spectacular medium-sized kingfisher, dark blue above, white below with shining blue crown, red bill and long blue central tail feathers with white racquets at the tip.
DISTRIBUTION
New Guinea, west to main islands of Halmahera and Buru in Indonesia and several smaller islands in between.
HABITAT
Lowland rainforest, even small patches, up to 980 ft (300 m) above sea level, but also more open areas of monsoon and riparian forest, even extending into secondary forest.
BEHAVIOR
Calls with one to four long whistles, ending with a loud trill. Very sedentary and spends much time perched low down, deep within favorite small area of forest.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Flies down to forest floor to catch prey, less often to snatch insects off foliage. Eats wide range of small animals, mainly earthworms, but also snails, centipedes, beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and lizards.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Both sexes of a monogamous pair excavate nest chamber in active nest of arboreal termite Microtermes biroi, an essential component of their habitat. Lays up to five eggs and both sexes care for eggs and chicks. Good breeding success.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Common and not threatened. Some threat from forest clearance, especially to small populations of subspecies on isolated islands.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.

Other popular Animals