Collared Kingfisher Bathing in Sea Water

on 16th June 2012

“Kingfishers are known to bathe by plunge-diving into water. So far, all episodes of kingfishers bathing that I have witnessed had occurred only in fresh water. Hence, I was pleasantly surprised to have my first sighting of a Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) bathing in sea water.

“When first spotted, this kingfisher was perching on a rock on the shoreline. Droplets of water were visible on its head and the saturated colour of its plumage gave me a clue that it was wet. Before I had time to react, it took off unexpectedly to plunge-dive into the sea. The diving spot was about six metres from the rock but only about three metres from shore. Emerging out of the water after a mere one second in water, it was quickly back to its original perch.

“After missing the earlier action, I scrambled quickly to prepare for its next series of action. The pictures attached were captured during its next plunge. Heavily cropped, these helped to zoom in closer to the action. The continuous shots, all taken within a four seconds period, showcased the kingfisher’s flight towards the diving spot, the use of its wings and tail for speed reduction upon approaching its selected diving spot, head drooping downwards just before its plunge, the orientation of its body immediately after the plunge and entry into water (please note that its body had made an about-turn), head emerging above surface of the agitated water, breaking out from the water surface, its return flight, and after landing on its perch.

“Seconds later, the kingfisher flew inland to disappear from sight; leaving no further chance for observation.

“Pardon me for my ignorance. Will crystallisation of sea water into salt on the plumage create problem for the bird? Or does the kingfisher then take another fresh water bath to get rid of the salt?”

Kwong Wai Chong
Singapore
9th June 2012

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the authors/contributors, and do not represent nor are they endorsed by the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore (LKCNHM, NUS) or any of NUS’s affiliates or subsidiaries. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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