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Alcedinidae
Kingfishers
1
Number of resurrected species:
Family
Order
Class
Alcedinidae
Coraciiformes
Aves
Description
The kingfishers are a widespread family that can be found all over the globe. In general, they are small birds with long and sharp bills, small feet and often with a very colourful plumage. They are mainly piscivorous, although other prey species, such as lizards, are preyed upon too. They are mostly bound to aquatic habitats, like rivers, small streams and lakes.
Distribution & Fossil evidence
Kingfishers can be found on every continent with the exception of Antarctica. Fossils of this family are fairly scarce, but date all the way back to the Eocene from North America and Europe. Back then, the already resembled more or less modern day kingfishers in appearance.
Species
There are many species of kingfisher, but the number of extinct relatives is fairly low.
Included genera
Quasisyndactylus
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