One of the cool things about visiting the tropics is that the local garden birds are really rather different to those we get exposed to in temperate climes. Sure there are things which do similar jobs to our thrushes, warblers, titmice and finches but they are insanely coloured. There are also things which are completely unlike anything we have. Miniature parrots for example or things like this russet-throated puffbird (Hypnelus ruficolli).
Apparently the deal with that insane bill is that it a) catches lizards and insects (and the insects in its habitat get pretty chunky) and b) uses it to excavate a nest cavity in arboreal termite colonies. How awesome is that!?
3 comments:
He is awesome! Looks almost like a kingfisher.
From my continental US perspective, he looks both different and familiar–the stripes around his neck remind me a bit of a Killdeer. Cute bird!
That is sooo cool!! He looks very proud!
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