- Scientific Name: Todiramphus youngi (Sharpe, 1892)
- Polynesian Names: Ruro, ruru, ruru moetua, putu (Tahiti)
- Order: Coraciiformes
- Family: Alcedinidae
- Category: Endemic Birds
- Location: Society (Moorea)
Apearance and identification
8 inches. Adults have brown or white backs, brown wings and tail and a very weak collar. The beak is black and powerful.
Videos
No media
Voice
Characteristics
Moorea island
Not very well known but digs nests in trunks like those of Neonauclea fosteri. Nest preparation observed at the end of November.
Primary and secondary forests less than 300 meters high.
Warn visitors who cross its territory during the breeding season by a long and very loud “ki-ki-ki-ki-ki …”. Sometimes emits “kark, kark, kark …” isolated and successive. No difference noted with the Tahiti Kingfisher.
No detailed studies but probably the same as for the Tahiti Kingfisher: insects caught flying, on land or on trees, small lizards, molluscs, even prawn and small fish.
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Location
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Moorea island
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Breeding
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Not very well known but digs nests in trunks like those of Neonauclea fosteri. Nest preparation observed at the end of November.
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Habitat
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Primary and secondary forests less than 300 meters high.
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Voice
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Warn visitors who cross its territory during the breeding season by a long and very loud “ki-ki-ki-ki-ki …”. Sometimes emits “kark, kark, kark …” isolated and successive. No difference noted with the Tahiti Kingfisher.
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Food
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No detailed studies but probably the same as for the Tahiti Kingfisher: insects caught flying, on land or on trees, small lizards, molluscs, even prawn and small fish.
Ressources
Status and protection
Awaiting the decision of the French Polynesia authorities for the classification of the species in the list of species protected by the territorial regulations, in the same way as the Tahiti Kingfisher.
L’espèce est classée “Quasi menacé” (NT) sur la liste rouge de l’UICN.
Original text by Caroline BLANVILLAIN – Supplements and update by various members of the SOP Manu.