Coraciiformes – Kingfishers & allies
Coraciiformes means ‘raven-like’ in Latin, strange when you think of the colorful birds belonging to this order
This order includes the beautiful-looking and usually colorful kingfishers, motmots, todies, rollers, and bee-eaters. They are quite the assortment of birds with specific characteristics that tie them together – they spend a significant part of their lives on trees, most have bright, colorful plumage, and most have peculiar three, forward-pointing toes fused at the base.
Diets vary across species, as do their methods of hunting. Kingfishers are known for their spectacular dives into water bodies to catch fish, while motmots eat insects and lizards, and sometimes even poison dart frogs!
The Rollers are aptly named birds – they have a spectacular display of jumps and summersaults performed during courtship flights!
Families in this order
Found in the wooded habitats of tropical forests, kingfishers are exclusively territorial, having good eyesight
Powerful fliers only catch insects like wasps and bees during their flight and consume them after removing their venom
Crow-size, beautifully colored birds; performing acrobatic tactics during their flight
Native to Central and South America, having colorful plumage and thick bills
Smallest and most active feeders of all the birds found in diversified habitats; laying huge eggs as compared to bird’s size
Full-on terrestrials, non-migratory, elusive, and shy birds; possess longer legs and rounded short wings
