White-throated Kingfisher

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Coraciiformes
Family:	Halcyonidae
Genus:	Halcyon
Species:	H. smyrnensis

Binomial name

Halcyon smyrnensis
Linnaeus, 1758

The White-throated Kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis, also known as the White-breasted Kingfisher or Smyrna Kingfisher, is a tree kingfisher which is widely distributed in south Asia from Turkey east to the Philippines. This kingfisher is essentially resident over much of its range, apart from seasonal movements.

at Hodal in Faridabad District of Haryana, India.

In Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

The first of the alternative English names is to be preferred because the geographical name is too restrictive for this widespread bird, and the easternmost race lacks a white breast.

This is a large kingfisher, 28 cm 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.

There are four races differing mainly in plumage shades, but H. s. gularis of the Philippines has only the neck and throat white. The flight of the White-throated Kingfisher is rapid and direct, the short rounded wings whirring. The large bill and legs are bright red.

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. The call of this noisy kingfisher is a chuckling chake-ake-ake-ake-ake.

White-throated Kingfisher is a common species of a variety of habitats with some trees, and its range is expanding. It perches conspicuously on wires or other exposed perches within its territory, and is a frequent sight in south Asia. This species mainly hunts large insects, rodents, snakes, fish and frogs. It is reputed to eat tired migratory passerine birds like Chiffchaffs where the opportunity arises.

White-throated Kingfisher has a striking display in which the wings are spread to show the white patches. The nest is a 50cm tunnel in an earth bank. A single clutch of 4-7 round white eggs is typical.

[edit] References

BirdLife International (2004). Halcyon smyrnensis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
Kingfishers, Bee-eaters and Rollers by Fry, Fry and Harris, ISBN 0-7136-8028-8

[edit] External links

Different size images of the White-throated Kingfisher
White Throated Kingfisher with a small frog
White-throated Kingfisher videos on the Internet Bird Collection

at Hodal in Faridabad District of Haryana, India.	Difficulty in managing a bigger prey near Hodal in Faridabad District of Haryana, India.	at Hodal in Faridabad District of Haryana, India.	Preening in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
at Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India.	White-throated Kingfisher	White-throated Kingfisher in Pune.	White-throated Kingfisher in Pune 2.
White-throated Kingfisher perches on a railing in the campus of Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia.