Black-capped Kingfisher

Halcyon pileata

Family: Kingfishers · Status: Uncommon migrant · Size: 29–31.5 cm · Conservation: Vulnerable

Range

Breeds in China, Korea and Japan; more northerly populations winter to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

Identification

Adult has black crown and head-sides, white collar, throat and upper-breast, dull rufous rest of underparts, thick red bill and deep blue upperparts with mostly black wing-coverts; shows large white patch on primaries in flight. Sexually monomorphic. Juvenile has duller blue upperparts and dark vermiculations on sides of throat and breast. Separated from White-throated Kingfisher by black (not chestnut) crown and white (not rufous) collar.

Habitat

Mangroves, various coastal and inland wetlands, gardens and wooded areas.

Behaviour

Diet consists mostly of fishes, lizards, frogs and large insects.