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UrbanCavity nestMedium · 91 g
What the White-throated Kingfisher sounds like
ID tip
This is a large kingfisher, 27–28 cm (10.6–11.0 in) in length. The adult has a bright blue back, wings and tail. Its head, shoulders, flanks and lower belly are chestnut, and the throat and breast are white. The large bill and legs are bright red. The flight of the white-throated kingfisher is rapid and direct, the short rounded wings whirring. In flight, large white patches are visible on the blue and black wings. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are a duller version of the adult. This species forms a superspecies with Halcyon cyanoventris and most major works recognize four geographic races.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the White-throated Kingfisher
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is February, the month with the most records.
Where to see the White-throated Kingfisher
The map shades 31 countries with regular records, and 3 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Greece, Syria, Afghanistan.
About the White-throated Kingfisher
The white-throated kingfisher also known as the white-breasted 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 often be found well away from water where it feeds on a wide range of prey that includes small reptiles, amphibians, 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 urban areas or on wires.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Brown-hooded KingfisherHalcyon albiventrisThe brown-hooded kingfisher is about 22 cm (8.7 in) long.
Woodland KingfisherHalcyon senegalensisThis is a medium-sized kingfisher, 23 cm (9.1 in) in length.
Striped KingfisherHalcyon chelicutiThe striped kingfisher of the nominate subspecies H. c. chelicuti averages 16 to 18 cm (about 6.5 in) from beak to tail.
Side by side: Brown-hooded Kingfisher vs White-throated Kingfisher · White-throated Kingfisher vs Woodland Kingfisher · Striped Kingfisher vs White-throated Kingfisher
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