The Banded Kingfisher Has Flamboyant Colors and an Interesting Latin Name Origin
The banded kingfisher captures attention thanks to its vivid colors and large, puffy head. It is a tree kingfisher found in the lowland tropical forests of Southeast Asia and is the only member of the genus Lacedo.
It is approximately eight inches long and has a sturdy red bill and a short crest that it can raise and lower as needed. What’s interesting about this bird is the striking sexual dimorphism—the colors in males and females are completely different.
The adult male has a brownish forehead, cheeks, and nape, along with a bright blue cap. The rest of the upper parts, wings, and tail are black with blue stripes, while the breast, flanks, and undertail are reddish-brown, and the belly is white.
The adult female has black and reddish-brown streaked upper parts, and her upper plumage is white with some black stripes on the chest and flanks. The colors become more vibrant as the birds mature; the colors of young birds are less vivid.
Banded kingfishers can be found in the lowland tropical forests of Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, and Brunei. They generally prefer altitudes up to 3,500 feet but can also be found in areas with altitudes of 5,000 feet in Brunei.
The Banded Kingfisher is Approximately Eight Inches Long
Males and Females Have Different Colors
Banded Kingfishers Are Hunters
They mainly eat large insects and occasionally small lizards. Their favorite hunting grounds are typically the trees, but they will sometimes hunt at ground level.
They build nests in holes of rotting trees and sometimes use tree termite nests. The females lay anywhere from two to five white eggs.
The bird's Latin name is Lacedo pulchella, which has a very interesting origin. The word Lacedo is an anagram of Alcedo, the Latin word for kingfisher.
The specific name pulchella is Latin for "very pretty."
They Generally Prefer Altitudes Up to 3,500 Feet
Banded Kingfishers Can Be Found in Lowland Tropical Forests of Southeast Asia
Their breeding season occurs between February and May. During this time, male and female birds pair up to breed.
It is unknown whether they form long-term breeding pairs, as they live alone for most of the year, only coming together for breeding purposes.
The exact lifespan of this species is unknown; however, the average lifespan for kingfishers is five to ten years, so their life expectancy likely falls within this range.
Banded Kingfishers Mainly Eat Large Insects
The Bird's Latin Name Is Lacedo Pulchella. Pulchella Is Latin for "Very Pretty."
Their Breeding Season Occurs Between February and May
It Is Unknown If They Have Long-Term Partners Because They Live Alone for Most of the Year
Watch Them on Video Here:
Another interesting fact is that, unlike other kingfishers, banded kingfishers generally do not live near water. When they do, it is not because of food, as they prey on insects rather than fish.
These birds communicate with a long, whistling call and will often respond to recordings or imitations of their call, making them very easy to locate.
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