Bird Watching - White Throated Kingfisher

White - throated Kingfisher

The white-throated kingfisher also known as the white-breasted kingfisher is a tree kingfisher. 

A brilliant turquoise -blue kingfisher with deep chocolate brown head, neck and underparts. flanks and lower belly are chestnut, and the throat and breast are white. The large bill and legs are bright red. a white wing patch is prominent in flight. 

Local Names : Kilkila (Hindi)

                     Vichuli, Meenkotti (Tamil)

                     Ponman (Malayalam)

 

The flight of the white-throated kingfisher is rapid and direct. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are a duller version of the adult.

This kingfisher is widespread and populations are not threatened.
It perches conspicuously on wires or other exposed perches within its territory.
It can often be found well away from water where it feeds on a wide range of prey that includes fish, tadpoles, lizard, grasshopper and other insects. occasionally also young birds and mice.

 

 

Nest is a horizontal tunnel dug into the side of a dry nullah or earth cutting. eggs- 4-7 white spherical eggs. both sex feeds the young.

 

In the 1800s these birds were hunted for their bright feathers that were used to adorn hats. It is the State bird of West Bengal.

References

The Book of Indian Birds (Salim Ali)

Wikipedia

Pictures:

Bangalore, Kerala,  Chennai

(Pictures are taken from various places. I find this bird almost everywhere I go.  Extremely beautiful bird, but not able to capture its beauty in its real essence. I Hope I will someday, then I come back here to update.:)