Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of kingfishers with our high-resolution poster showcasing a diverse array of species from the Alcedinidae family. Each stunning illustration features a different kingfisher species, identified by both their English common names and scientific classifications. From the iconic Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) to the exotic Azure Kingfisher (Ceyx azureus), explore the intricate details of these magnificent birds in exquisite clarity and scientific accuracy. This poster is a celebration of avian diversity and a valuable resource for bird enthusiasts, educators, and researchers alike.
The world of kingfishers
Kingfishers, scientifically classified within the family Alcedinidae, are renowned for their vivid and iridescent plumage, which serves both functional and communicative purposes. The striking colors observed in kingfishers, such as shades of blue, green, and orange, are often attributed to structural coloration produced by microscopic structures in the feathers rather than pigments. This structural coloration enhances camouflage and may play a role in mate attraction and species recognition. Kingfishers are also noted for their unique feeding behavior, characterized by rapid dives from perches into water to catch fish, insects, or aquatic prey. Their specialized bills, adapted for grasping and stunning prey underwater, exemplify evolutionary adaptations shaped by ecological specialization. Furthermore, kingfishers exhibit complex social behaviors, including territoriality and courtship displays, which are influenced by environmental cues and social dynamics within their populations. Studying the intricate biology of kingfishers offers insights into the interplay between coloration, behavior, and ecology, highlighting their role as charismatic avian species in aquatic ecosystems worldwide.
Kingfisher poster – quality and resolution
The digital file of our kingfisher poster is crafted in exceptional quality, originally designed at a very high resolution of DIN A0 @ 300ppi, translating to a pixel dimension of 7016 x 9933. This level of detail ensures impeccable clarity and sharpness, allowing the poster to be printed in large dimensions without compromising on image quality. Whether displayed in a classroom, research facility, or personal space, this poster retains its stunning visual fidelity and serves as a striking centerpiece for appreciating the beauty and diversity of kingfishers in remarkable detail.
Historic lithography of kingfishers
The lithographic prints depicting kingfishers and other avian species from historical sources represent exemplary contributions to scientific illustration during the 19th century. These lithographs, produced through a complex process involving stone plates and chemical etching, showcase the intricate anatomical details and plumage patterns of birds with exceptional precision and accuracy. The artists behind these lithographs were not only skilled draftsmen but also keen observers of avian morphology, capturing subtle variations in wing shape, bill structure, and coloration that aid in species identification. This form of scientific illustration served as a vital tool for ornithologists and naturalists, facilitating the classification and study of bird diversity across different regions and habitats. Today, these lithographs stand as valuable historical records, preserving a wealth of avian knowledge and contributing to our understanding of bird evolution, behavior, and ecological interactions in the context of changing landscapes and environments.
“Digital foraging”
Introducing “digital foraging”, my latest project that delves into the vast and untapped world of digital information. With a sheer endless amount of historic images and resources available online, the possibilities are endless. The artwork you see here is a perfect example of what can be achieved through “digital foraging”.
Unfortunately it takes much more than just a quick search to get the results you see here. It takes hours of research, technical know-how and a keen eye to find the right images, in the right resolution, and format. And that’s just the beginning. The real work starts with processing and manipulating the images to create something new and unique.
For me, this is what “digital foraging” is all about. The thrill of the hunt, the excitement of discovery and the satisfaction of creating something new and beautiful from what was once forgotten. It’s also a modern take on the traditional art of foraging, and I can’t wait to see what else can be found in the vast depths of the digital world.
The work behind the scenes of the kingfisher-poster
Creating a comprehensive poster featuring this variety of kingfisher species is a huge task that demands meticulous attention to detail and extensive labor. Beyond the research and restoration of historic illustrations, each individual bird must be carefully isolated, adjusted for size and orientation, and strategically placed within the composition. This process of image editing and layout design is incredibly time-consuming, often requiring days and even weeks of dedicated work to ensure the poster achieves both visual coherence and (scientific) accuracy. Every aspect of the poster, from the selection of kingfisher species to the final arrangement of illustrations, represents a labor of passion and commitment to showcasing the rich diversity of Alcedinidae in a compelling and educational format.
We spent countless hours to research this composition and to carefully restaurate the lithographic images. We hope that you find joy in it if you decide to purchase a copy. You can print it out as is and display it in your living room, kitchen, office or wherever you find it fitting. There are countless options for usage and you can of course always print it in smaller sizes too.
The original kingfisher images
The original drawings are often true works of art that deserve their own place on the wall. Meticulously drawn and presented, you can find a large number of such pictures in historic archives. What photos do today was solved back then with meticulously prepared illustrations. Below are some samples of these original lithographic illustrations as published.
The featured species in this kingfisher poster | Alcedinidae poster (part 1)
1) Alcedo atthis | Common kingfisher
2) Alcedo atthis bengalensis | Common kingfisher (bengalensis)
3) Alcedo meninting coltarti | blue-eared kingfisher
4) Alcedo euryzona | Javan blue-banded kingfisher
5) Ceyx azureus ruficollaris | azure kingfisher (ruficollaris)
6) Alcedo coerulescens | cerulean kingfisher
7) Alcedo hercules | Blyth’s kingfisher
8) Ceyx cyanopectus | indigo-banded kingfisher
9) Alcedo meninting | blue-eared kingfisher
10) Alcedo quadribrachys | shining-blue kingfisher
11) Alcedo semitorquata | half-collared kingfisher
12) Corythornis vintsioides | Malagasy kingfisher
13) Corythornis cristatus | malachite kingfisher
14) Chloroceryle americana cabanisii | green kingfisher
15) Chloroceryle amazona | Amazon kingfisher
16) Ceyx cyanopectus | indigo-banded kingfisher
17) Ceyx azureus affinis | azure kingfisher (affinis)
18) Ceyx azureus lessonii | azure kingfisher (lessonii)
19) Ceryle rudis | pied kingfisher
20) Corythornis cristatus nais | malachite kingfisher (nais)
21) Ceyx pusillus | little kingfisher
22) Ceyx azureus | azure kingfisher
23) Chloroceryle americana | Green kingfisher
24) Megaceryle alcyon | belted kingfisher
25) Megaceryle maxima | giant kingfisher
26) Megaceryle maxima gigantea | giant kingfisher (gigantea)
27) Megaceryle torquata | ringed kingfisher
28) Pelargopsis melanorhyncha | great-billed kingfisher
29) Chloroceryle aenea | American pygmy kingfisher
30) Pelargopsis capensis gouldi | stork billed kingfisher
31) Pelargopsis amauroptera | brown-winged kingfisher
32) Megaceryle lugubris guttulata | crested kingfisher
33) Pelargopsis capensis floresiana | stork billed kingfisher (floresiana)
34) Pelargopsis capensis intermedia | stork-billed kingfisher (intermedia)
35) Pelargopsis capensis capensis | stork billed kingfisher (capensis)
36) Pelargopsis capensis javana | stork billed kingfisher (javana)
37) Pelargopsis capensis burmanica | stork billed kingfisher (burmanica)
The featured species in this kingfisher poster | Alcedinidae poster (part 2)
1) Todiramphus diops | Moluccan kingfisher
2) Todiramphus lazuli | lazuli kingfisher
3) Todiramphus cinnamominus | Guam kingfisher
4) Actenoides concretus | rufous-collared kingfisher
5) Ceyx cajeli | Buru dwarf kingfisher
6) Todiramphus pyrrhopygius | red-backed kingfisher
7) Ceyx melanurus spec. | Philippine Kingfisher
8) Todiramphus australasia | cinnamon-banded kingfisher
9) Todiramphus chloris | collared kingfisher
10) Syma torotoro | yellow-billed kingfisher
11) Ceyx melanurus melanurus | Philippine dwarf kingfisher
12) Ceyx erithaca | black-backed kingfisher
13) Ceyx wallacii | Sula dwarf kingfisher
14) Ceyx lepidus | Moluccan dwarf kingfisher
15) Ceyx rufidorsa | rufous-backed dwarf kingfisher
16) Ceyx rufidorsa rufidorsa (rufidorsa) | rufous-backed kingfisher (syn. rufidorsa)
17) Halcyon coromanda | ruddy kingfisher
18) Syma torotoro flavirostris | yellow-billed kingfisher (flavirostris)
19) Ceyx solitarius | Papuan dwarf kingfisher
20) Ceyx fallax | Sulawesi dwarf kingfisher
21) Corythornis madagascariensis | Madagascar pygmy kingfisher
22) Ceyx rufidorsa sp. | rufous-backed dwarf kingfisher sp.
23) Halcyon smyrnensis | white-throated kingfisher
24) Halcyon badia | chocolate-backed kingfisher
25) Ispidina picta | African pygmy kingfisher
26) Ispidina picta (leucogastra) | African pygmy kingfisher
27) Ceyx uropygialis | North-Moluccan dwarf kingfisher
28) Ispidina picta natalensis | African pygmy kingfisher (natalensis)
29) Ispidina lecontei ruficeps | African dwarf kingfisher (ruficeps)
30) Halcyon pileata | black-capped kingfisher
31) Halcyon leucocephala semicaerulea | grey-headed kingfisher (semicaerulea)
32) Halcyon gularis | brown-breasted kingfisher
33) Halcyon cyanoventris | Javan kingfisher
34) Ispedina lecontei | African dwarf kingfisher
35) Halcyon senegaloides | mangrove kingfisher
36) Halcyon albiventris orientalis | brown-hooded kingfisher (orientalis)
37) Halcyon leucocephala aceton | grey-headed kingfisher (aceton)
38) Halcyon chelicuti | striped kingfisher
39) Halcyon senegalensis | woodland kingfisher
40) Halcyon albiventris | brown-hooded kingfisher
41) Halcyon senegalensis cyanoleuca | blue and white kingfisher
42) Halcyon malimbica dryas | blue-breasted kingfisher (dryas)
43) Todiramphus albicilla owstoni | Mariana kingfisher
44) Halcyon malimbica | blue-breasted kingfisher
45) Todiramphus leucopygius | ultramarine kingfisher
46) Todiramphus nigrocyaneus | blue-black kingfisher
The featured species in this kingfisher poster | Alcedinidae poster (part 3)
1) Actenoides hombroni | blue-capped kingfisher
2) Actenoides hombroni | blue-capped kingfisher
3) Dacelo leachii | blue-winged kookaburra
4) Dacelo leachii cervina | blue-winged kookaburra (cervina)
5) Todiramphus sanctus vagans | sacred kingfisher (vagans)
6) Todiramphus macleayii | forest kingfisher
7) Tanysiptera galatea nais margarethae | common paradise kingfisher (margarethae)
8) Todiramphus sacer juliae | Pacific kingfisher
9) Todiramphus sanctus | sacred kingfisher
10) Todiramphus sordidus sordidus | Torresian kingfisher
11) Todiramphus veneratus | Society kingfisher
12) Actenoides lindsayi | spotted kingfisher
13) Dacelo leachii occidentalis | blue winged kookaburra (occidentalis)
14) Todiramphus tutus | chattering kingfisher
15) Tanysiptera galatea acis | common paradise kingfisher (acis)
16) Actenoides monachus capucinus | black headed kingfisher
17) Dacelo gaudichaud | rufous-bellied kookaburra
18) Lacedo pulchella melanops | banded kingfisher (melanops)
19) Lacedo pulchella | banded kingfisher
20) Todiramphus recurvirostris | flat-billed kingfisher
21) Todiramphus chloris sp. | collared kingfisher (sp.)
22) Tanysiptera galatea emiliae | common paradise kingfisher (emiliae)
23) Tanysiptera nympha | red-breasted paradise kingfisher
24) Melidora macrorhina | hook-billed kingfisher
25) Tanysiptera galatea nais | common paradise kingfisher (nais)
26) Caridonax fulgidus | white-rumped kingfisher
27) Dacelo tyro | spangled kookaburra
28) Cittura cyanotis | Sulawesi lilac kingfisher
29) Dacelo novaeguineae | laughing kookaburra
30) anysiptera galatea sabrina | common paradise kingfisher (sabrina)
31) Cittura sanghirensis | Sangihe lilac kingfisher
32) Tanysiptera sylvia | buff-breasted paradise kingfisher
33) Tanysiptera galatea doris | common paradise kingfisher (doris)
34) Tanysiptera hydrocharis | little paradise-kingfisher
35) Tanysiptera riedelii | Biak paradise kingfisher
36) Pelargopsis capensis javana | stork billed kingfisher (javana)
37) Halcyon funebris | Sombre Kingfisher
38) Tanysiptera ellioti | Kofiau paradise kingfisher
Find more inspiration in our other posters
↓↓↓
