Nature Photos of the Week

August 30, 2007

 

Interesting Taxonomy!

Taxonomy is the practice and science of classification. The word comes from the Greek τ?ξις, taxis, 'order' + ν?μος, nomos, 'law' or 'science.' Originally the term taxonomy referred to the science of classifying living organisms (now known as alpha taxonomy); however, the term is now applied in a wider, more general sense and may refer to a classification of things, as well as to the principles underlying such a classification. Almost anything, animate objects, inanimate objects, places, concepts, events, properties, and relationships may be classified according to some taxonomic scheme.

Kingfishers are birds of the three families Alcedinidae, Halcyonidae, and Cerylidae. There are about 90 species of kingfisher. All have large heads, long, sharp, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. They are found throughout the world.

The taxonomy of the three families is complex and rather controversial. Although commonly assigned to the order Coraciiformes, from this level down confusion sets in. The etymology of kingfisher is obscure, the term comes from king's fisher, but why that name was applied is not known.

 

  The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), also known colloquially as fishhawk, seahawk or fish eagle, is a medium-large fish-eating bird of prey. It is found on all continents except Antactica although in South America it occurs only as a non-breeding migrant. It is widely distributed because it tolerates a wide variety of habitats, nesting in any location which is near a body of water and provides an adequate food supply. It is divided into four similar subspecies. Because the Osprey has many unique characteristics, it has been given its own taxonomic genus, Pandion, and family, Pandionidae.

 

The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar.

Just as the expressive name reveals, bee-eaters predominantly eat insects, especially bees, wasps, and other flying insects, which are caught in the air by sallies from an open perch. While they will pursue any type of flying insect, honey bees predominate in their diet.