Stork-billed Kingfisher
Pelargopsis capensis
The Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis) is a uncommon kingfisher found in 16 countries, weighing about 179 g. The stork-billed kingfisher, is a tree kingfisher which is widely but sparsely distributed in the tropical Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, from India to Indonesia.
About the Stork-billed Kingfisher
The stork-billed kingfisher, is a tree kingfisher which is widely but sparsely distributed in the tropical Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, from India to Indonesia. These kingfishers are large and have a heavy bill. The head is brown and the chin is paler coloured. The sexes are similar in coloration. This is found mostly in streams and ponds in lowland areas with tree cover. This kingfisher is sendentary throughout its range.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
It is a very large kingfisher, measuring 35 cm (14 in) in length. The adult has a green back, blue wings and tail, and olive-brown head. Its underparts and neck are buff. The very large bill and legs are bright red. The flight of the stork-billed kingfisher is laboured and flapping, but direct. Sexes are similar. There are 13 races or subspecies, differing mostly in plumage detail, but P. c. gigantea of the Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines has a white head, neck and underparts.
What the Stork-billed Kingfisher sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Stork-billed Kingfisher can be seen all year round, with peak activity in February. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Stork-billed Kingfisher?
- It is a very large kingfisher, measuring 35 cm (14 in) in length. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Stork-billed Kingfisher?
- The Stork-billed Kingfisher is a medium sized bird weighing about 179 g.
- Where can you see a Stork-billed Kingfisher?
- The Stork-billed Kingfisher occurs in 16 countries, including India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Thailand.
- What does a Stork-billed Kingfisher sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Stork-billed Kingfisher on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Stork-billed Kingfisher?
- The Stork-billed Kingfisher is most easily confused with the Brown-winged Kingfisher and the Great-billed Kingfisher.
- Is the Stork-billed Kingfisher endangered?
- The Stork-billed Kingfisher is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Stork-billed Kingfisher for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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