Hi all. I would like to know if there has been any experience with keeping and/or breeding certain birds in the order Coraciiformes, with special emphasis on kingfishers in the genera Alcedo, Dacelo, Halcyon and Megaceryle in private parks and aviculture in general. Also on rollers (including ground rollers), especially in Europe. And if so, how have they managed success according to the method? Thank you all.
Coraciiform birds in Captivity
- Thread starter 17915
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I will speak only in terms of my country now.
The only relatively common species of kingfisher in private hands is laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) with maybe up to a dozen or two of breeders. What they feed - various insects, mouse, chicken heart, pellets, softbill mixes, fruit. This species is rather cold-tolerant but can´t survive in Central Europe without winter heating. It nests in boxes placed rather high in aviary. It nests during winter - starts in Oct/Nov. Usually only 1-2 chick survive from one nest. This species needs "helpers" - grown chicks stay with parents for next breeding season and help them to rear new chicks. Such groups are much more reliable and keen to breed than single pairs. Birds reach adulthood with 1 year. I would say this is reasonably non-complicated species.
Second kept species is blue-winged kookaburra (Dacelo leachii). It´s commonly bred in zoos but I´m not sure I have seen it offered here in private recently. Diet is similar with the first species but all feed (dead) fish as well. Original birds were imported from New Guinea thus they are more warm-demanding. This species has on average more chicks per nest and also they can stay with parents for long time thus you can grow the group up to dozen or so. Again, helpers are important for breeding success. The species has sex dimorphismus (color of tail) so you can determine chick´s sex when it leaves the box.
Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) gets regularly brought into wildlife rescue stations. With poor results.
All other kingfishers are either very rare or non-existent in private hands in Czechia. They were non-existent even in time before EU-bird-import-ban because locals simply had no interest in this group.
Breeders in western / southern Europe keep more kingfisher species permanently in aviculture.
If we talk rollers - only 2 species are kept in any numbers here in private hands. European roller (Coracias garrulus) and the much rarer blue-bellied roller (Coracias cyanogaster). Breeders in the western Europe have larger roster of species. I dont know much about their care but I guess similar to other large insectivore bird species.
The only relatively common species of kingfisher in private hands is laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) with maybe up to a dozen or two of breeders. What they feed - various insects, mouse, chicken heart, pellets, softbill mixes, fruit. This species is rather cold-tolerant but can´t survive in Central Europe without winter heating. It nests in boxes placed rather high in aviary. It nests during winter - starts in Oct/Nov. Usually only 1-2 chick survive from one nest. This species needs "helpers" - grown chicks stay with parents for next breeding season and help them to rear new chicks. Such groups are much more reliable and keen to breed than single pairs. Birds reach adulthood with 1 year. I would say this is reasonably non-complicated species.
Second kept species is blue-winged kookaburra (Dacelo leachii). It´s commonly bred in zoos but I´m not sure I have seen it offered here in private recently. Diet is similar with the first species but all feed (dead) fish as well. Original birds were imported from New Guinea thus they are more warm-demanding. This species has on average more chicks per nest and also they can stay with parents for long time thus you can grow the group up to dozen or so. Again, helpers are important for breeding success. The species has sex dimorphismus (color of tail) so you can determine chick´s sex when it leaves the box.
Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) gets regularly brought into wildlife rescue stations. With poor results.
All other kingfishers are either very rare or non-existent in private hands in Czechia. They were non-existent even in time before EU-bird-import-ban because locals simply had no interest in this group.
Breeders in western / southern Europe keep more kingfisher species permanently in aviculture.
If we talk rollers - only 2 species are kept in any numbers here in private hands. European roller (Coracias garrulus) and the much rarer blue-bellied roller (Coracias cyanogaster). Breeders in the western Europe have larger roster of species. I dont know much about their care but I guess similar to other large insectivore bird species.
I am not sure about what is in private hands but Lilac-breasted roller is also fairly well established in both private hands and in collections in the UK, so information on husbandry should also be available. Checking on Zootierliste the only motmot to be seen in collections in any numbers in Europe is Blue-Crowned Motmot. Some bee-eaters are kept in European and American collections, especially European and Northern Carmine Bee-eaters as well.
Sicarius
Well-Known Member
Halcyon malimbica torquata is still imported in decent numbers and is kept and bred in private hands across Europe. Occasionally other species from the genus pop up as well, like albiventris & leucocephala. Kingfishers remain a big challenge for long-term success. Not to mention, it is very expensive, especially for members of the family that eat fish. I was once told by a zoo that their pair of European kingfishers cost them more a day than the big cats, foodwise.
Yes true. Probably, unless you have a huge mixed species aviary with lots of live fish at your disposal...practically all the fish-eating kings would be a challenge to keep. Not to mention they're all highly territorial and nervous.