The Niau kingfisher (Todiramphus gertrudae) is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae. It is endemic to the island of Niau in French Polynesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, plantations and rural gardens. Only 125 individuals remain in the wild.
The introduction of other competitive species (such as Felis catus) into the kingfishers habitat led to their decrease in population because of competition for the same food sources. Removal of the new species would likely result in a recovery of the Kingfisher population, at least in the most populated areas.
Clements has merged this bird with the Mangareva kingfisher.
Diet They mainly eat terrestrial arthropods—beetles, Hymenoptera, and Dictyoptera,—and lizards—skinks and geckos. Their diet also includes decapods. They forage within coconut groves.
References
Footnotes
Sources Kesler, D. C., R. J. Laws, A. S. Cox, A. Gouni, and J. D. Stafford. 2012. "Survival, territory resources, and population persistence in the critically endangered Tuamotu Kingfisher." Journal of Wildlife Management 76:1001-1009. Kesler, D. C. 2012. "Foraging habitat distributions affect territory size and shape in the Tuamotu Kingfisher." International Journal of Zoology Article ID 632969, 7 pages:1-7. Kesler, D. C., A. S. Cox, G. Albar, A. Gouni, J. Mejeur, and C. Plasse. 2012. "Translocation of Tuamotu kingfishers, post-release exploratory behavior and harvest effects on the donor population." Pacific Science 66:467-480. Coulombe, G. C., D. C. Kesler, and A. Gouni. 2011. "Factors influencing occurrence and habitat use of Tuamotu Kingfishers at landscape and territory scales." Auk 128:283-292. Kesler, D. C. 2011. "Non-permanent radiotelemetry leg harness for small birds." Journal of Wildlife Management. 75:467-471.