Osteological limb proportions in Australo-Papuan kingfishers (Alcedinidae)

Abstract

A comparison of proportions of major skeletal elements of the fore- and hindlimbs shows considerable uniformity among the Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus and other Australian species of Todiramphus, whereas species of paradise kingfishers Tanysiptera and yellow-billed kingfishers Syma have relatively longer distal leg elements. Kookaburra species Dacelo have proportionally shorter distal elements, a trend that is very marked in the Azure Kingfisher Ceyx azureus and other water kingfishers of genus Ceyx.