Scientific Name: Halcyon pileata
Malay Name: Pekaka Ubun Hitam
Chinese Name: 蓝翡翠
Range: Found from China, Korea to Japan with more northerly populations wintering to Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia
Taxonomy: Monotypic.
Size: 29-31.5 cm
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 when seen in flight. Juvenile resembles adult but has duller blue upperparts and dark vermiculations on sides of throat and breast.
Similar looking species: White-throated Kingfisher
Habitat: Mangroves, various coastal and inland wetlands., gardens and wooded areas
Behaviour/Ecology: Diet consists mostly of fish, lizard, frog and large insects.
Local Status: Uncommon migrant
Conservation Status: Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2022)
Location: Sungei Buloh, Kranji Marsh, Pulau Ubin, Bidadari, Chinese Garden, Pasir Ris Park, Pasir Ris Farmway 3, Lorong Halus, West Coast Park and Tuas South.
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Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Black-capped Kingfisher)
References:
BirdLife International. (2022). Halcyon pileata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T22683249A212490546.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Black-capped Kingfisher. Retrieved on December 14, 2025 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/black-capped-kingfisher.