Diet of the Arabian collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris kalbaensis): Insights from trail cameras and regurgitation pellets

Abstract

The Arabian Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris kalbaensis) is an endemic subspecies inhabiting the Alqurm mangrove system on the eastern coast of Sharjah, UAE. Unpublished annual census data collected over most of the past decade suggest that the known population of this subspecies does not exceed 180 individuals (Whittington-Jones, personal communication, May 14, 2024). Despite this kingfisher's conspicuous behavior and ecological significance, there is a dearth of scientific literature on its ecology. Here we examine the diet of the Arabian Collared Kingfisher through analysis of trail camera images and regurgitation pellets. Brachyuran crabs were the primary prey item ingested, followed by fish, arthropods, and shrimps. Discrepancies between prey documented by trail cameras and regurgitation pellets suggest method limitations. Analysis of regurgitation pellets allows for detailed taxonomic identification but favors hard-bodied animals such as crabs, while missing soft-bodied prey due to their passage through the digestive tract. Trail cameras offer periodic visual data but limited image resolution, hampering classification. Our findings underscore the imperative of conserving the ecological integrity of the Alqurm mangrove system for the continued survival of the Arabian Collared Kingfisher.