Great-billed kingfisher

The great-billed kingfisher or black-billed kingfisher is a species of bird in the subfamily Halcyoninae. It is endemic to the Sulawesi region of Indonesia. It can be found on the island of Sulawesi and in the Sula Archipelago.

Loading map...

Distribution

Region

Sulawesi region, Indonesia

Typical Environment

Primarily encountered in coastal mangrove forests, tidal creeks, estuaries, and along lowland forest rivers. It perches quietly above water or mudflats and forages in shaded channels and along forest edges. Occurs on Sulawesi and nearby island groups such as the Sula Archipelago. Locally it can extend slightly inland along larger rivers and wetlands with dense riparian vegetation.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 900 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size28–34 cm

Wing Span45–55 cm

Male Weight0.12 kg

Female Weight0.13 kg

Life Expectancy8 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

A large tree-kingfisher with a massive black bill, it is confined to the Sulawesi region and nearby island groups of Indonesia. It frequents mangroves, estuaries, and lowland rivers where it hunts fish and crustaceans from shaded perches. Its dependence on coastal forests makes it vulnerable to mangrove loss and shoreline development. The striking dark bill and deep blue upperparts help separate it from other large kingfishers.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

solitary and territorial

Flight Pattern

strong, direct flight with rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Usually encountered alone or in pairs, defending linear stretches of mangrove channels or rivers. Breeding pairs nest in cavities, typically in tree holes or arboreal termite nests within coastal or riverine forest. Courtship includes loud calling and mutual bill displays. Both parents participate in nesting duties.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Vocalizations are loud, ringing series of harsh kek-kek or kyak-kyak notes, often delivered from an exposed perch. Calls carry far over mangroves, especially at dawn and dusk, and may accelerate into a chattering sequence during territorial displays.

Unlock detailed bird insights with Pro access today.

Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Great-billed parrot

The great-billed parrot also known as Moluccan parrot or island parrot, is a medium-sized, approximately 38 cm long, green parrot with a massive red bill, cream iris, blackish shoulders, olive green back, pale blue rump and yellowish green underparts. The female is typically smaller than the male, but otherwise the sexes are similar.

Great-billed seed finch

The great-billed seed finch is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, swamps, and heavily degraded former forest. They are found in two separate general populations, one in the northern Amazon rainforest and the other in the Cerrado. They live in flooded areas with nests low to the ground. The adults express strong sexual dimorphism. Males are black with white under wing-coverts and ivory white bills, and the females are generally light brown with white under wing-coverts and black bills. Both the male and female have very large, thick bills. The great-billed seed finch has a melodious call, which has made it a target for trapping.

Great-tailed grackle

The great-tailed grackle or Mexican grackle is a medium-sized, highly social passerine bird native to North and South America. A member of the family Icteridae, it is one of 10 extant species of grackle and is closely related to the boat-tailed grackle and the extinct slender-billed grackle. In the southern and southwestern United States, the grackle is sometimes referred to simply as a "blackbird" or (erroneously) a "crow" due to its glossy black plumage; however, grackles form their own unique genus that is separate from other "blackbirds", such as the red-winged and Brewer's blackbirds, despite being in the same family (Icteridae). Superficially, Brewer's blackbird is one of the most visually similar species to grackles.

Greater adjutant

The greater adjutant is a member of the stork family, Ciconiidae. Its genus includes the lesser adjutant of Asia and the marabou stork of Africa. Once found widely across southern Asia and mainland southeast Asia, the greater adjutant is now restricted to a much smaller range with only three breeding populations; two in India, one in the north-eastern state of Assam and a smaller one around Bhagalpur; and another breeding population in Cambodia. They disperse widely after the breeding season. This large stork has a massive wedge-shaped bill, a bare head and a distinctive neck pouch. During the day, it soars in thermals along with vultures with whom it shares the habit of scavenging. They feed mainly on carrion and offal; however, they are opportunistic and will sometimes prey on vertebrates. The English name is derived from their stiff "military" gait when walking on the ground. Large numbers once lived in Asia, but they have declined to the point of endangerment. The total population in 2008 was estimated at around a thousand individuals. In the 19th century, they were especially common in the city of Calcutta, where they were referred to as the "Calcutta adjutant" and included in the coat of arms for the city. Known locally as hargila and considered to be unclean birds, they were largely left undisturbed but sometimes hunted for the use of their meat in folk medicine. Valued as scavengers, they were once depicted in the logo of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation.