Skip to main content

White-throated kingfisher

 

“Heavenly bodies are nests of invisible birds.”
― Dejan Stojanovic

The White-throated kingfisher also known as the white- breasted kingfisher or Smyrna kingfisher is a tree kingfisher widely distributed in Asia from the Sinai east through the Indian subcontinent to China and Indonesia. This kingfisher is a resident over much of its range, although some populations may make short distance movements. It can be found well away from water where it feeds on a wide range of prey that includes small reptiles, crabs, small rodents and even birds. During the breeding season they call loudly in the mornings from prominent perches including the tops of buildings in the urban areas or on wires. White- throated kingfishers average life span is  five years and six months.

White-throated kingfishers have thick, reddish-orange bills, red legs and dark chocolate-coloured heads, bellies and shoulders. A brilliant white patch can be found on the throat and sometimes the breast. The wings and tail are bright blue with white patches on the primaries and black distal tips. The sexes appear similar. White-throated kingfishers are the only south Asian kingfisher that is distinctly darker below than it is above.

White- throated kingfishers are very vocal birds, their vocalizations being characterized as “ aloud defiant rattling laugh”. They have several calls which include a sharp repetition of high pitched KRICH KRICH tones of 2-4 kHz at a rate of 2-4 notes per second.

White-throated kingfishers eat domestic and agricultural pests, including both mammalian and insect pests. Like many other generalist these birds help control the populations of small vertebrates and invertebrates that might otherwise do costly damage to human works and food supplies.      

 

References

White-throated kingfisher - Wikipedia

Halcyon smyrnensis (white-throated kingfisher)

Encyclopedia

Photo Credits: Sirojan
Written By: Thushitha
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Asian koel

The Asian koel is a large member of cuculidae family and like many of its related cuckoo kin is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nest of crows.  Asian koel are many mainly resident breeders in Southern Asia from Iran, India, Bangladesh and Srilanka. They inhabit light woodlands, shrubby areas with scattered trees, gardens and urban areas.  These type of birds are usually more often heard than seen. they spend their time singly or pair hiding in the dense canopy. They are very vocal especially during the breeding season, making range of different calls.  The breeding season of Asian koels varies depending on location. It usually occurs from March to August. female birds lay their eggs in the nests of other large birds, including crows, shrikes and starlings. Adults male are glossy black with doll lime-green bill and females and immature blackish brown with white dots on the wings and strong streaking on head and throat. Adults have ruby red eyes. The Asian koel is omnivorous,
2 comments
Read more

•Common daisy

Bellis perennis is a common European species of daisy, of the family Asteraceae, often considered the archetypal species of that name. Many related plants also share the name "daisy", so to distinguish this species from other daisies it is sometimes qualified as common daisy, lawn daisy or English daisy.   
1 comment
Read more

Cogon grass

9 comments
Read more