The giant kingfisher is one of the largest species of kingfisher in the world. Kingfishers are a group of birds in the family Alcedinidae, which are characterized by their large heads, long, dagger-like bills, and bright plumage. There are over 90 different species of kingfisher found throughout the world, but the giant kingfisher stands out due to its particularly impressive size.
Quick Answers
The giant kingfisher has a total length of around 45-50 cm (18-20 in) and a wingspan of around 24 cm (9.5 in). Their bills alone grow to around 13 cm (5 in) long. They typically weigh between 450-800 g (1-2 lb). This makes them one of the largest kingfishers species in terms of total length and weight.
By comparison, the common kingfisher which is widespread throughout Eurasia and North America, only reaches lengths of 16-17 cm (6-7 in) and weighs around 42 g (1.5 oz). The giant kingfisher dwarfs the common kingfisher in size.
Some key facts about the giant kingfisher’s size include:
- Total length: 45-50 cm (18-20 in)
- Wingspan: around 24 cm (9.5 in)
- Bill length: around 13 cm (5 in)
- Weight: 450-800 g (1-2 lb)
So in summary, the giant kingfisher is aptly named for being one of the largest kingfisher species in the world. Its total length, wingspan, bill length, and weight are all substantially larger than most other kingfishers.
Details on the Giant Kingfisher’s Size
The giant kingfisher’s total length ranges from 45 to 50 cm (18 to 20 in). This encompasses their body from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail. The wingspan, measuring from one wingtip to the other when outstretched, is around 24 cm (9.5 in).
One of the most distinguishing features of the giant kingfisher is its massive dagger-like bill. The giant kingfisher’s bill length averages around 13 cm (5 in) long. For comparison, the bill length of the common kingfisher averages only around 5 cm (2 in).
In terms of weight, the giant kingfisher is one of the heaviest kingfisher species in the world. It weighs in at between 450-800 g (1-2 lb), which is over 10 times heavier than the common kingfisher which weighs around 42 g (1.5 oz).
The giant kingfisher exhibits strong sexual dimorphism in size. Males tend to be larger than females in terms of length and weight. The typical length for males is 50 cm (20 in) compared to 45 cm (18 in) for females. Males can weigh up to 800 g (2 lb) whereas females generally max out around 600 g (1.3 lb).
Geographic location also plays a role in size variation of the giant kingfisher. The largest individuals are found in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea where they have an average length of 50 cm (20 in). Birds along the coasts of Australia and Indonesia are generally smaller around 45 cm (18 in) long.
In summary, while size can vary based on sex and geography, the giant kingfisher consistently ranks among the largest kingfisher species:
- Total length of 45-50 cm (18-20 in)
- Wingspan around 24 cm (9.5 in)
- Bill length around 13 cm (5 in)
- Weight of 450-800 g (1-2 lb)
Comparison to Other Kingfishers
Compared to other kingfisher species, the giant kingfisher is substantially larger in terms of length, wingspan, bill size, and weight.
Here is a comparison table of the giant kingfisher vs some other common kingfisher species:
| Species | Total Length | Wingspan | Bill Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giant kingfisher | 45-50 cm (18-20 in) | 24 cm (9.5 in) | 13 cm (5 in) | 450-800 g (1-2 lb) |
| Common kingfisher | 16-17 cm (6-7 in) | 24-26 cm (9.5-10 in) | 5 cm (2 in) | 42 g (1.5 oz) |
| Blue-eared kingfisher | 21 cm (8 in) | 12 cm (5 in) | 8 cm (3 in) | 79 g (3 oz) |
| Collared kingfisher | 23 cm (9 in) | 11 cm (4.5 in) | 6 cm (2.5 in) | 105 g (4 oz) |
As the table illustrates, the giant kingfisher exceeds the other common kingfisher species listed in every dimension except for having a slightly smaller wingspan than the common kingfisher.
It’s total length of 45-50 cm dwarfs species like the collared kingfisher at just 23 cm long. Its 13 cm bill is nearly three times as large as the 4 cm bill of the collared kingfisher.
And with a weight reaching up to 800 g, the giant kingfisher can weigh nearly 10 times as much as kingfishers like the blue-eared kingfisher which weighs around 80 g on average.
So in comparison to most of its relatives, the giant kingfisher truly lives up to its name and stands out as a titan among other kingfishers in terms of size.
Size Relative to Other Birds
The giant kingfisher’s size also makes it one of the largest birds among water kingfishers and alcedinidae species around the world.
The giant kingfisher is considerably larger than most other birds in its taxonomic order Coraciiformes which includes kingfishers, bee-eaters, rollers, hoopoes and others. Within this order, it ranks among the largest species by length and weight.
Compared to other water kingfishers outside of the Alcedinidae family, the giant kingfisher exceeds them in length and weight. For example, the belted kingfisher common to North America reaches only 35 cm (14 in) long and weighs about 170 g (6 oz).
Some of the only water kingfishers that match the giant kingfisher in size include the laughing kookaburra of Australia which can reach a similar length of 45 cm (18 in) and the shovel-billed kookaburra of New Guinea which weighs around the same. However most other water kingfishers and laughing kookaburras are smaller.
Outside of other water kingfishers, the giant kingfisher is rivaled in size mainly by some of the larger predatory bird species. Various eagles, hawks, falcons and other raptors can match or exceed the giant kingfisher in total length and wingspan. However in terms of sheer bulk and weight, the hefty giant kingfisher still stands out from even many of these predators.
The giant kingfisher ranges close to the limits of the typical size for kingfishers and other Coraciiformes. Its massive size makes it similar in length and bulk to much larger predatory birds. This contributes to the giant kingfisher’s status as one of the most imposing kingfishers in the world.
Significance of Size
So why did the giant kingfisher evolve to such a large size compared to its relatives? Its oversized dimensions are key adaptations that allow it to thrive in its environment.
The giant kingfisher’s large bill enables it to tackle bigger prey than other smaller kingfishers. It frequently preys on larger fish, crabs, shrimp, juvenile sea turtles, and even small reptiles and mammals. Its size allows it to hunt prey that smaller kingfishers could not handle.
Its bulk also makes it able to defend itself from predators and compete with other large water birds for food and territory. Smaller kingfishers would be overpowered, but the giant kingfisher can hold its own.
Additionally, the giant kingfisher spends more time perching in open coastal habitats than forested streams where smaller kingfishers are found. Its larger size helps make it visible and attract mates in these open areas.
So the giant kingfisher’s impressive size seems to have evolved as an adaptation to its lifestyle and the type of prey it hunts in its coastal mangrove habitat. Being larger has allowed it to exploit food sources and compete with other birds in ways that the smaller kingfisher species could not.
This demonstrates how evolution can dramatically alter body sizes over time to enable birds like the giant kingfisher to thrive in the ecological roles they inhabit.
Conclusion
In summary, the giant kingfisher is aptly named, as its size sets it apart from nearly all other kingfisher species. Its total length of 45-50 cm, wingspan of 24 cm, bill length around 13 cm, and weight of 450-800 g makes it a giant compared to most kingfishers.
This size gives the giant kingfisher advantages in hunting large prey, competing with other birds, and attracting mates. The giant kingfisher represents an impressive evolutionary adaptation of kingfishers to thrive at a much larger body scale compared to their smaller relatives.
So if you are looking for a truly giant kingfisher, look no further than the appropriately named giant kingfisher – one of the world’s largest kingfishers and water birds.
