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The nest is in a burrow excavated by both birds of the pair in a low vertical riverbank, or sometimes a quarry or other cutting. The straight, gently inclining burrow is normally 60–90 cm (25–35 in) long and ends in an enlarged chamber. [8] The nest cavity is unlined but soon accumulates a litter of fish remains and cast pellets. [13]
The nest building begins with both birds flying into a suitable mud wall until an indentation is made where they can find a perch hold. They subsequently perch and continue digging the nest with their bills. Nest tunnels in a haystack have also been recorded. [21] A single clutch of 4–7 round white eggs is typical. The eggs take 20–22 days ...
Kingfishers usually hunt from an exposed perch; when a prey item is observed, the kingfisher swoops down to snatch it, then returns to the perch. Kingfishers of all three families beat larger prey against a perch to kill the prey and to dislodge or break protective spines and bones. Having beaten the prey, it is manipulated and then swallowed. [14]
Nest holes may sometimes be used for roosting. [15] In 1947, British zoologist Hugh B. Cott noticed while skinning birds that hornets were attracted to certain birds but avoided the flesh of pied kingfishers. This led to a comparative study of edibility of birds and he suggested that more conspicuously plumaged birds may be less palatable.
The tunnel extends straight, then rises, before descending to the chamber in which the nest is. This chamber is between 15 and 20 cm (6 and 8 in) wide and 10 and 13 cm (4 and 5 in) high. The width of the tunnel is typically 8 cm ( 3 + 1 ⁄ 8 in): the length varies with the soil, ranging from 45 to 60 cm ( 17 + 1 ⁄ 2 to 23 + 1 ⁄ 2 in) in ...
The key for a bluebird nest box is to have the hole be exactly 1.5 inches in diameter. Too large of a hole invites starlings and makes it easier for squirrels and other larger rodents to get in.
The nest is in a chamber at the end of a 1 m (3 ft 3 in) long burrow in an earthen creek bank. [2] A clutch of 4–6 white, rounded, glossy eggs, measuring 22 mm × 19 mm (0.87 in × 0.75 in), is laid. [4] Both parents incubate the eggs for 20–22 days, and then feed the hatchlings for a further 3 to 5 weeks.
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