Banded Kingfisher vs Half-collared Kingfisher

Banded Kingfisher

Lacedo pulchella

Small47 gForest

The banded kingfisher is 20 cm (7.9 in) long with a sturdy red bill and a short crest which is slowly raised and lowered. It shows striking sexual dimorphism compared to most of its relatives. The adult male has a chestnut forehead, cheeks and nape, and a bright blue cap. The rest of the upperparts, wings and tail are black with blue bands. The breast, flanks and undertail are rufous, and the central belly is white. The adult female is equally striking, with black-and-rufous-banded upperparts, and white underparts with some black bars on the chest and flanks.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Jason Thompson · CC BY 2.0

Half-collared Kingfisher

Alcedo semitorquata

Small47 gWetland

The half-collared kingfisher is a medium-sized kingfisher. It is around 18 cm (7.1 in) in length with a weight of 35–40 g (1.2–1.4 oz). It has blue upperparts, a white throat and pale orange underparts. The head has alternating light blue and dark blue bands running across the crown and each side of the neck has a creamy white stripe. The dark blue patches on either side of the neck form a half collar. The legs and feet are red. The sexes are very similar but the bill of the male is entirely black while the female has some red at the base of the lower mandible.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Henry de Lange · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Banded Kingfisher and Half-collared Kingfisher.