Pied Kingfisher

The pied kingfisher is a species of water kingfisher widely distributed across Africa and Asia. Originally described by Linnaeus in 1758, it has five recognised subspecies. Its black and white plumage and crest, as well as its habit of hovering over clear lakes and rivers before diving for fish, make it distinctive.

Scientific Name : Ceryle rudis

Family : Alcedinidae

Order : Coraciiformes

Class : Aves

Type : Kingfishers

Conservation Status : Least concern (LC)

Size : 25 cm

Compare Size : Myna +

Wingspan : 45 - 47 cm

Weight : 84 g

Migratory : Resident

Sex Alike : Yes

Nesting Season : Between October & May

Other Names :

English : Lesser Pied Kingfisher

Hindi : कॉदियाल किलिकिला, राम चिरईया, चित्ता किलकिला

Marathi : कवड्या खंड्या, कवड्या धीवर, भादुर

Habitat:
Near large rivers, small and large lakes, Coastal lagoons, On rocky and sandy coasts, Close to fresh or brackish water tanks

Breeding:
Eggs - 5 or 6, Glossy white roundish ovals

Feeding:
Fish, Tadpoles, Frogs, Aquatic insects

Male & Female
Head	black eye mask
Supercilium or eyebrow	white
Crest	neat; black and white
Upperparts	barred black and white
Belly	white
Vent	white
Wing	speckled black and white
Breast	Males have a black coloured double band across the breast, while females have a black coloured single gorget that is often broken in the middle