Banded Kingfisher vs Ruddy 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

Ruddy Kingfisher

Halcyon coromanda

Medium78 gForest

Reaching approximately 25 cm, the ruddy kingfisher has a very large, bright red bill and equally red legs. The body is rust red, generally deepening to purple at the tail. There is little sexual dimorphism though some sources report male birds being somewhat brighter in plumage. Due to its preference for heavily forested areas, the kingfisher's high, descending call is more often heard than the bird itself is seen, and these birds generally travel singly or in pairs.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Jason Thompson · CC BY 2.0

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