White-Throated Kingfisher

The white-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) also known as the white-breasted kingfisher is a tree kingfisher, widely distributed in Asia from Turkey east through the Indian subcontinent to the Philippines. 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.

Scientific Name : Halcyon Smyrnensis

Family : Alcedinidae

Order : Coraciiformes

Class : Aves

Type : Kingfishers

Conservation Status : Least concern (LC)

Size : 19 - 21 cm

Compare Size : Myna +

Wingspan : 40 - 43 cm

Weight : 66 – 81 g

Migratory : Resident

Sex Alike : Yes

Nesting Season : March - July

Other Names :

English : White-Breasted Kingfisher

Hindi : सफ़ेद छाती किलकिला

Marathi : खंड्या, धीवर

Habitat:
Open country in the plains, Trees, Wires or Other perches

Breeding:
Eggs - 4 - 7, White, Spherical

Feeding:
Large crustaceans, Insects, Earthworms, Rodents, Snakes, Fish and Frogs, Tadpoles, Lizards, Grasshoppers and Other Insects


Identification Features

Male & Female
Back bright-blue
Wing bright-blue with a big black patch
Tail bright-blue
Head chestnut
Scapulars chestnut shoulder
Flanks chestnut
Belly lower belly chestnut
Throat white
Breast white
Bill bright-red
Legs bright-red
Note :
H. gularis. Race fusca is found in Peninsular India and Sri Lanka and is slightly smaller, bluer and with a darker brown underside than the nominate race found in northwestern India
Juvenile
Note :
duller version of the adult

Gallery

SIGHTINGS

Date Location
2018-10-27 27 Oct 2018 Bird Watching Area, Bhandup West, Mumbai, Maharashtra
2018-11-03 03 Nov 2018 Bird Watching Area, Bhandup West, Mumbai, Maharashtra
2018-11-14 14 Nov 2018 Bird Watching Area, Bhandup West, Mumbai, Maharashtra
2018-12-02 02 Dec 2018 Bird Watching Area, Bhandup West, Mumbai, Maharashtra
2018-12-16 16 Dec 2018 Bird Watching Area, Bhandup West, Mumbai, Maharashtra
2019-01-12 12 Jan 2019 Bird Watching Area, Bhandup West, Mumbai, Maharashtra
2019-03-02 02 Mar 2019 Bird Watching Area, Bhandup West, Mumbai, Maharashtra
2018-12-08 08 Dec 2018 Harihareshwar Beach, Raigad, Maharashtra
2018-12-09 09 Dec 2018 Harihareshwar Beach, Raigad, Maharashtra
2018-11-04 04 Nov 2018 Shiravali Gaon, Raigad, Maharashtra
2018-11-05 05 Nov 2018 Shiravali Gaon, Raigad, Maharashtra
2019-02-01 01 Feb 2019 Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan
2022-05-19 19 May 2022 Karjat - Kashele - Khandas Road, Maharashtra
2024-05-01 01 May 2024 Diveagar, Maharashtra

Similar Birds

(Kingfishers)