What is CORACIIFORMES?

 

CORACIIFORMES is a morphologically heterogeneous group of colorful birds, with large heads, short necks, short legs, and, mostly, large bills. They comprise the kookaburras and kingfishers, todies, motmots, bee-eaters, and rollers. These birds are widely distributed, occurring on all continents except Antarctica. However, most species are occurring in Asia and Africa. In total, about 145 to 157 species in about 29-40 genera. So far, nine families recognized here, listed below.

(1) ALCEDINIDAE - River kingfishers; about 22 to 24 species in two to four genera: Alcedo and Ceyx (sometimes Ispidina or Myioceyx also recognized); mostly distributed in Africa, Asia, Indonesia, Philippines, Melanesia, New Guinea, and Australia. Two species of Alcedo in the HANZAB region.

(2) HALCYONIDAE – (Tree or wood) kingfishers; 56-61 species in 8-12 genera; distributed in Africa, Asia, Indonesia, Papuasia, Micronesia, Polynesia, and Australia & New Zealand. Eight non-vagrant species in four genera in the HANZAB region.

(3) CERYLIDAE: Water (or belted) kingfishers; nine species in three genera: Chloroceryle, Megaceryle, and Ceryle; distributed in Africa, s. and e. Asia, and New World.

(4) MEROPIDAE: Bee-eaters; 24 to 26 species in three genera: Nyctyornis, Meropogon, Merops; distributed Africa, s. and e.  Asia, Indonesia, Melanesia, New Guinea, and Aust. One species, Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus, in HANZAB region.

(5) CORACIIDAE: Rollers; around twelve species in two genera: Coracias & Eurystomus; distributed Africa, s. and e. Asia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, and Aust. One species, Dollarbird Eurystomus Orientalis, breeds HANZAB region; another species vagrant.

(6) BRACHYPTERACIIDAE: Ground-rollers; about five species in three genera, which are Atelornis, Brachypteracias, Uratelornis, mostly endemic to the African country Madagascar.

(7) LEPTOSOMIDAE: Monotypic Cuckoo-roller Leptosomus discolor, endemic to Comoro.

(8) TODIDAE: Todies; about 5 species in monotypic genera Todus; widely distributed Caribbean islands of Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.

(9) MOMOTIDAE: Motmots; 8 or 9 species in six genera: Aspatha, Baryphthengus, Electron, Eumomota, Hylomanes, and Momotus. These species are widely distributed in Neotropics from Mexico to Argentina.

Taxonomy of this and related groups are somewhat controversial. Monophyly of the Coraciiformes has been variously questioned and supported, and further study required. Maybe polyphyletic (BWP), have been split into as many as six orders. Recent views tend to identify one order, but the treatment of sub-ordinal taxa varies.

Conventionally, all kingfishers have been treated as a single-family, Alcedinidae, with three subfamilies here, these subfamilies elevated to familial level. The division into three families supported by DNA-DNA hybridization and chromosome studies, but this view has been challenged since these three groups are also considered as monophyletic with respect to their nearest relatives within Coraciiformes.

The most closely related groups are Trogoniformes (trogons), Upupiformes (hoopoes), and Bucerotiformes (hornbills). These, too, have also been classified as families within the Coraciiformes. Other distantly allied groups include Galbuliformes (jacamars and puffbirds) and Piciformes (toucans, barbets, honeyguides, and woodpeckers).

Moreover, Coraciiformes are a diverse group, with few anatomical characters that apply to all families. Palate desmognathous. Feet vary; usually have three toes directed forward and a hallux, but inner front toe reduced or missing in some Alcedinidae. The outer toe reversible in Leptosomidae; forward toes often fused or partly fused. Basi pterygoid process absent or rudimentary Hypotarsus complex.  Syrinx tracheobronchial.

Plumage bright, mainly iridescent or pigmentary greens and blues. Infrequently different variations in plumage between ages or sexes. Not well represented in HANZAB region; four families recorded, with 12 non-vagrant species in seven genera. Extralimital families not considered further here. The Coraciiformes occur in most habitats of arid to semi-arid zones to tropical rainforests and mangroves.

Kingfishers, rollers, and bee-eaters all require habitats with at least a few trees, from which to hunt. All breed within hollows in branches or trunks of trees, or in tunnels excavated into banks of earth or termitaria (both arboreal and terrestrial).

In HANZAB region, some species (e.g. Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae) may benefit from partial clearance of wooded habitats, though most are adversely affected by the removal of hollow-bearing trees; others (e.g. Azure Kingfisher Alcedo azurea) adversely affected by removal or degradation of vegetation surrounding wetlands.

Generalized predators of arthropods and small vertebrates. Most are sit-and-wait predators; most hunt by sallying. With few exceptions, normally kingfishers do not pursue prey, contrasting bee-eaters, which do. Both kingfishers and bee-eaters regurgitate pellets of indigestible material, such as insect sclerites. In kingfishers, bee-eaters, and rollers, hatching of broods always staggered, with up to the 1-week difference between oldest and youngest nestlings.

Nestlings squabble for food brought by parents, and nestlings soon learn to move toward the entrance of the nest when they perceive the parent entering with food. If two or more nestlings, the eldest (unless replete) typically takes a protuberant position when the food arrives.

However, when the food is scarce, only older nestlings are fed and others starve and die. Just before fledging, to encourage young to leave nest adults may starve them for one to two days. Parents stay near fledglings, calling and bringing food in response to the begging of the young.

Worldwide, 11 species considered threatened. Overall, the major threatening process is the clearance of habitat, though several species are adversely affected by the introduction of predators, particularly the Common Myna Acridotheres tristis. Given the great similarities between Halcyonidae and Alcedinidae in social organization and behavior and most aspects of internal structure.

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Reference – Jeff Davies @ NZ Birds Online

ROLLER in Spain

 Roller Coracius garrulus, from mid-April to Sep in the Roller winters of Spain in the Afrotropical region. It is a lowland species, favoring open, sunny habitats (steppes and meadows) with scattered, mature trees. It breeds in sandy banks, in walls, and in nest-holes of the Green Woodpecker, although it will also accept suitable nest-boxes. It avoids intensively cultivated areas.

Birds hunt from open perches on trees, posts, and overhead wires overlooking sparsely vegetated ground which provides little cover for prey. In the province of Lleida there are fewer than 100 pairs of Rollers, although this represents the great majority of the Catalan population of the 133 species. It appears that parts of Aragón, especially the southern part of Huesca, were colonized by the neighboring population in Lleida around the year 1980 and that the species is still spreading in some parts of the Ebro valley.

1)   Ballobar-Candasnos-Ontiñena: the best areas to search are just to the north of the junction of the Candasnos-Ontiñena road with that of Ballobar, mainly to the west of the road, as well as the pseudosteppe a few kilometers to the east of the village of Candasnos, on the higher ground on either side of the N-II. The species also occurs on either side of the N-II between Bar Ventorrillo and Ventas del Rey, to the west of Fraga.

2)      Balaguer Drylands: Rollers inhabit areas bordering the River Farfanya between Castelló de Farfanya and Menàrguens. From Balaguer head towards Menàrguens on the C-12 (LV-9224) and just after the first entrance to the village of Menàrguens turn right onto a wide track following the course of the River Farfanya, signposted to Castelló de Farfanya. Pay attention to the clumps of trees here and there along the river’s edge. The first 4kms are the best.

3)      Alfés Drylands: several pairs of Rollers can be found in the area immediately to the east of the village of Alfés on both sides of the River Set, to the north of the road between Alfés and Aspa. The species may also be encountered to the east of the LV-7021 between Aspa and Artesa de Lleida. Rollers also occur further south, between Alcanó and Sarroca - the best area is along the track that runs southwest from the edge of Alcanó village towards Sarroca.

4)      Belianes Drylands: the area to the east of the LP-2015 between Preixana and Sant Martí de Maldà is currently a very good one for Rollers, but its future as such looks bleak because of plans to irrigate the remaining drylands.

5)      5) Aiguamolls Natural Park: some of the 6-7 pairs of Rollers breeding in the park can normally be seen from the path that leads to the hide at Vilaüt and at the Closes de Mornau, as well as at the Cortalet meadows. Rollers are also present in the area between Berbegal and Barbastro, in the province of Huesca.

Mississippi Kite Bird

 Identification

The Mississippi kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) is a member of the family Accipitridae, a group of diurnal birds of prey. Adult Mississippi kites are falcon-shaped with light gray underparts, a dark gray dorsal surface, and a black unbarred tail. They have orange-red legs and feet, with a pale pearly-gray head, red eyes, gray bill, and black wings tipped with a broad white patch on each rear edge that is visible in flight.

Adult kites are about 13 to 14 inches (34 to 36 cm) long, have a wingspan of about 3 feet (0.9 m), and weigh 8 to 11 ounces (227 to 312 g). The male Mississippi Kite bird is lighter gray and smaller than the female. However, immature kites have heavy brown streaks below, and a notched black tail that is somewhat banded on the ventral surface.

The Juvenile kites are covered with a fluffy white down that contrasts with their black eyes and bill. Mississippi kite birds are graceful in flight, often appearing to float in the air but not uncommon to see several circling in the same area.

Distribution and Habitat

Mississippi kites’ nest found in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, southeastern Colorado, southern Kansas, and the eastern states from southern Missouri to South Carolina. The southern Great Plains is considered a stronghold for the species. Mississippi kites nest primarily along with riparian areas and in mesquite thickets and tree plantings such as shelterbelts, windbreaks, farm woodlots, urban parks, and urban residential woodlots.

Kites frequently use large windbreaks that are surrounded by native vegetation and have few nearby roads and homes. Shelterbelts planted in native grassland habitats likely have resulted in the westward expansion of the kite’s range. Kites usually perch in the open on bare branches or on television antennas. This bird is one of the United States' most elegant raptors, 6 to 7 pairs in sight of one another in a grove of tall trees.

Migrations – Mississippi Kite birds migrate in the fall to their wintering grounds in central and southern tropical South America. A long-distance migrant, in flocks; every so often seen in very large concentrations in Texas and Mexico. In a 2006 report, more than 10,000 birds migrate at Fuerte Esperanza Argentina. Also, in 2004 nearly 9,8000 individuals fall migrate to Corpus Christi Texas.

Food Habits

Mississippi kites are primarily insectivorous. Their preference for insects that are harmful to crops, such as cicadas and grasshoppers, makes them economically beneficial. Most insects are captured by kites in flight. Kites supplement their diets with lizards, frogs, small turtles, rodents, small rabbits, and occasionally, small birds.

General Biology, Reproduction, and Behavior

Most Mississippi kites probably wintering Argentina and Brazil. They often migrate in groups of 20 to 30, and usually arrive at their nesting sites in mid to late April or early May. Their southward migration generally begins in early September, a few weeks after the young have fledged. Mississippi kites usually start nesting soon after their arrival in spring.

They form pair bonds before arriving at nest sites and display little territorial behavior. Kites either repair old nests or construct new ones. Nests usually are concentrated in colonies. Many nests occur in elm, cottonwood, willow, hackberry, oak, and mesquite trees.

Most nests, except for those constructed in elm and cotton-wood trees, are usually less than 20feet (6 m) above the ground. Nests vary in size, ranging from 10 to 18inches (25 to 46 cm) long and 10 to 14inches (25 to 36 cm) wide. They usually are composed of small twigs and lined with leaves.

In late May or, early June, kites lay two dull white to pale bluish-white eggs about1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm) long and almost oval in shape. Both parents incubate the eggs and feed the young. They usually lay only 1 clutch per year, which hatches after an incubation period of about 29 to 32 days. The young can fly and leave the nest 28 to 35 days after hatching.

About half the nesting kites successfully raise young. Major mortality factors include strong winds, usually associated with summer thunderstorms, that blow out nestlings and destroy nests, and egg and nestling predators, including great horned owls and raccoons. Mississippi kites produce younger in urban than in rural areas; the greater success has been related to lower predation. These kites usually live about 8 years and prefer to make a nest at deciduous trees.

Damage

Some Mississippi kites create problems by diving at and frightening people who venture near their nests. The diving behavior is initiated to protect the nest and young but occurs at less than 20% of the nests. Diving increases as incubation progresses and is most prevalent after hatching. Often both parents dive and emit shrill cries when the nest is threatened. These alarm calls often attract other kites, which also harass the intruder.

Although kites may swoop within inches of an individual, only 3% of 903dives recorded at one golf course resulted in the birds actually hitting humans. These attacks, however, can be serious if elderly individuals or children riding bicycles are frightened and fall. After the young leave their nests, the diving behavior stops.

Legal Status

Mississippi kites are fully protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918) and state regulations. It is illegal to take, possess, transport, sell, or purchase kites or their parts without a permit. These regulations also protect the kite’s eggs and nests, even nests that have been abandoned after the breeding season.

A special permit may be issued by this Fish and Wildlife Service that authorizes the permit holder to take, transport, and temporarily possess juvenile kites for relocation to alternate nest sites and to remove the nest.

Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Exclusion and Habitat Modification - Preventing access of the adult kites to the nesting areas, which should deter subsequent diving, is difficult and not practical in most situations. If the nest can be removed in compliance with the US Fish and Wildlife Service permit, further nesting at that site maybe deterred by removing one of the branches that supported the nest or by fencing out the nest area with hardware cloth.

Nest Avoidance - Avoiding the area around Mississippi kite nests, from incubation through fledging (mid-June through mid-August), is one of the best methods to prevent kites from diving at people. To reduce conflicts at golf courses or parks, people can be encouraged to stay away from a nest by placing yellow-plastic tape that says “Do Not Enter” in a 50-yard (50-m) radius around the nest.

If the nesting area cannot be avoided, wearing a hat should prevent the rare occurrence of a kite strike but will not prevent diving. Place protective netting in the kites’ path of flight to prevent them from diving in certain areas. Frightening People who are attacked by kites should wave their arms or other objects to frighten the offending birds. You may encourage kites to nest elsewhere by placing a life-sized kite effigy in a previously used nest or in a human-made nest before kites arrive in the spring.

The greatest average distance that kites ranged from their nest while performing aggressive behavior was 35 yards (32m) in one study. Decoys should therefore be placed in all potential nest trees within at least 50yards of the area to be protected. Repellents No chemical bird repellents (for example, sticky pastes, sprays) currently registered by EPA have prevented kites from nesting in an area.

Toxicants - No chemical toxicants are currently registered by EPA for Mississippi kite control. However, other kite birds are less aggressive and restrict to the shrill cries of scream. The Mississippi Kite bird normally very frightening to the unsuspecting victim, and normally does not result in any physical harm.

Trapping or Shooting - Trapping or shooting Mississippi kites is seldom warranted. Permits for such activities are required by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the local state wildlife agency. These permits likely will not be granted in most cases.

Nest Removal - Removal of the adult kite’s eggs, young, and nest will typically terminate diving behavior. However, this practice is not legal without a special permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Eggs and young that are removed from an offending kite’s nest habitually are transferred to another kite’s nest located outside the problem area.

Hence, choose to foster kite nests that have eggs or young at the same developmental stage as in the problem nest. Usually, no more than one chick is added to a nest. Furthermore, material may need to be wired to the foster nest to enlarge it. Occasionally, eggs or young may be incubated and/or reared by humans.

Some kites, whose eggs or young have been removed, may re-nest nearby and continue their aggressive behavior. In most instances, the severity of the diving behavior does not warrant removal of the nest, eggs, or young.

Economics of Damage and Control - Few tangible costs can be associated with the harassment of humans by the diving behavior of Mississippi kites. Also, preventing the diving behavior is usually a matter of avoiding the nesting area or frightening the birds when they are diving.

Reference - William F. Andelt Extension Wildlife Specialist Department of Fishery and Wildlife Biology Colorado State University-Fort Collins, Colorado 80523