BROWN-WINGED KINGFISHER (Pelargopsis amauroptera)

The Brown-winged Kingfisher is a specialized avian predator confined to the mangrove forests and coastal riverine systems of the eastern Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. In Langkawi, this bird is a flagship species for the health of the intertidal ecosystem, representing a narrow niche of biodiversity that is highly sensitive to habitat loss.

IDENTIFICATION & BIOLOGY

• Distinctive Plumage: Unlike many of its cousins, this species is defined by its dark brown wings and mantle, contrasting sharply with a vibrant orange-red head, neck, and underparts. Its massive, dagger-like bill is a deep coral red.
• Size and Stature: A large kingfisher, reaching up to 35cm in length. Its heavy bill is specifically adapted for handling armored prey such as crustaceans and mud-dwelling fish.
• Vocalisation: Known for its loud, repetitive, and somewhat mournful "peer-peer-peer" call, which often echoes through the dense mangrove channels of Kilim Karst.

HABITAT & ECOLOGICAL NICHE

This species is a "mangrove obligate," meaning it rarely strays far from the brackish waters and tangled roots of the mangrove forest.

• Foraging Behavior: They are patient hunters, perching motionless on low-hanging branches over water channels before diving to strike at crabs, fish, and occasionally small mollusks.
• Territorial Nature: Brown-winged Kingfishers are solitary and highly territorial. They require undisturbed stretches of mature mangrove to maintain their hunting grounds.
• Nesting: They typically excavate nest tunnels in riverbanks or utilize tree cavities within the mangrove interior.

CONSERVATION STATUS

The Brown-winged Kingfisher is currently listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Its survival is intrinsically linked to the preservation of coastal wetlands.

• Threats: The primary threats include the clearance of mangroves for aquaculture, coastal development, and the degradation of river water quality.
• Protection in Langkawi: The protection afforded by the Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark is vital for maintaining the breeding populations of this species in Northern Malaysia.

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