White throated kingfisher: Breaking the stereotypes

While most kingfishers are known to be purely water-birds, surviving mainly on fish, the white throated kingfisher (or white breasted kingfisher) breaks the stereotypes by inhabiting wooden areas and rarely diving into water for fish. These mannerisms puts it into the category of 'tree kingfishers'. 

                                    While perched upon an electric line or pole, this bird seems to be calm and composed (giving enough time for a decent photograph), but actually it is getting prepared to attack its prey with a straight,rapid flight. 

Here are some details about this 'sit and wait' predator:

Common names: white throated/breasted kingfisher,  kilkila.

Scientific name: Halcyon smyrnensis

Identification: 

• Both male and female look similar.
• The white throated kingfisher has bright blue back, wings and tail.
• It has a thick , reddish-orange bill.
• The head, belly, and shoulder are dark brown (chocolate brown) in colour.
• There is a distinctive white patch on throat and breast and hence it derives the name white throated/breasted kingfisher. 
• The juvenile has dull colours.

Habitat: Inhabit parks, gardens with long trees, poles and other perches. Also found near water bodies.

Food: 

• They mainly feed upon insects, earthworms, snakes, frogs, fish, etc.
• They sometimes prey upon small birds like sparrows, munia, chick of red wattled lapwing, etc.
• The young ones are mostly fed upon invertebrates.

Behaviour:

• White-throated kingfishers are highly vocal birds.
• They produce a loud, sharp, repetitive krich-krich call.
• Each bird (or pair) selects a feeding territory,  and mostly remains close to the territory.
• In courtship display, the male swiftly flaps its wings for a few seconds and flicks the tail.
• It is a cleanliness freak and takes regular baths, but rarely drinks water.
• Both male and female participate in building nest and feeding the young ones.

Nest: It digs a long tunnel into the bank of a stream to make its nest.

Threats: 

• Habitat destruction due to human interference around water bodies.
• The young ones often drown in water due to weak flight.
• Earlier (in 1800s) these birds were hunted for their bright feathers.

IUCN Status: Least concern. 

Photograph by: Yamini Dashora.