Welcome to "Wild India" friends!
Today We'll show you 5 kind of kingfishers
1)Common Kingfisher
2)White-throated Kingfisher
3)Stork billed Kingfisher
4)Collared Kingfisher
5)Brown Winged Kingfisher
COMMON KINGFISHER
(Alcedoatthis)
Also known as the Eurasian kingfisher and
river kingfisher, the common kingfisher is
a small sparrow-sized bird found in open fresh
water habitats. It has beautiful plumage with
bluish-green upperparts, pale orange underparts
with a long pointed bill, orange ear-coverts
and short tail. The head has dark blue markings
and the legs and feet are bright red. It is
a piscivore and has special visual adaptations
to locate prey under water. Easily spotted
with its high, shrill, whistled call– chee
;chichee.
Consevation Status: Least Concern
WHITE-THROATED KINGFISHER
(Halcyon smyrnensis)
The most common of all kingfishers, also known
as white-breasted kingfisher, is the State
bird of West Bengal. It is frequently found
in urban areas, perching on fence posts and
telephone lines, with wide ranging habitats
both near and away from water. Large bird
with long, heavy, pointed bill, chocolate-brown
head, neck and underparts, white throat and
breast and brilliant blue back, wings and
tail. It feeds on insects, lizards, tadpoles
and rodents rather than a strict fish diet.In
flight, large white patches on the wings are
visible. Loud chuckling ke-ke-kek-kek-kek-kekcall
uttered in flight.
Consevation Status: Least Concern
STORK-BILLED KINGFISHER
(Pelargopsiscapensis)
Massive kingfisher with a huge scarlet bill,
olive-brown head, buff collar and underparts
and blue-green upperparts. Wings and tail
bluer with pale blue rump visible in flight.
Legs are bright red. Prefers large waterbodieswith
well-wooded vegetation. Often exhibits territorial
behavior by warding off large predators like
eagles, whilst perching quietly on telegraph
wires. Feeds on fishes, crabs, frogs and reptiles.
Regular call isa loud cackling ke-ke-ke-ke-ke-kebut
a pleasant peer-peer-puris also heard while
resting on some shady branch.
Consevation Status: Least Concern
PIED KINGFISHER
(Cerylerudis)
As the name suggests, it has a characteristic
black and white plumagewith a black, stout,
dagger-shaped bill.Inhabits a wide range of
waterside habitats from estuaries to mangroves,
frequently seen perched on rock or stake near
water, singly or in pairs. It has white-streaked
black crown and crest and a prominent black
band through eye with broad white supercilium.Males
haveblack double bands across the breast,
while females have a single gorget, usually
broken in the middle. The legs and feet are
blackish. It hunts in a stunning fashion by
hovering over water for quite some time and
then diving vertically into the water. Gives
out a sharp chirrukchirrukwhile moving.
Consevation Status: Least Concern
COLLARED KINGFISHER
(Todiramphuschloris)
Also called mangrove kingfisher, it is a medium-sized
coastal bird with a variable plumage pattern.Inhabitsmangrove
swamps, tidal creeks and mudflats. Upper parts
are greenish-blue while the underparts can
be white or buff, with blue wings and tail.
There is a prominent white collar around the
neck, giving the bird its name. There is also
a black stripe through the eye. The stout
bill is black with a pale yellow base to the
lower mandible. Females tend to be greener
than the males.Small crabs are its’favoured
food apart from insects, worms, snails, shrimps,
fishes, frogs and lizards.Gives harshmetallic
vocalizations, but most common call is a “krerk-krerk-krerk-krerk.”
Consevation Status: Least Concern
BROWN-WINGED KINGFISHER
(Pelargopsisamauroptera)
Very large orangish kingfisher with a big
brownish-orange head and a huge scarlet bill.
It has dark brown wings, mantle and tail with
pale brown underparts. Bright blue-green rump
patch is visible in flight. Restricted to
coastal habitats such as mangroves, tidal
creeks and estuaries. Gives loud, chow-chow-chowwhistles
as well as harsh grating rattles.
Consevation Status: Near Threatened
