Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Todiramphus chloris
Family: Kingfishers · Status: Very common resident · Size: 24–26 cm · Conservation: Not Evaluated
Occurs along coasts and inland from northeast Africa, the Middle East, and India through Southeast Asia and northern Australia to Pacific islands.
Adult has rich greenish-blue upperparts, distinctive white collar and underparts, and black bill with pale pinkish-white lower mandible. Females are slightly greener and less blue than males. Juvenile resembles adult but has duller, greener-tinged upperparts and dark scalloping on breast, neck and flanks. Adults generally have white lores but some individuals may have buffy lores similar to juveniles.
Waterbodies in or near forest edges, parks, gardens, open woodlands, grasslands, and mangroves, prefers more open and coastal habitats.
Feeds on a wide range of prey, including fish, crustaceans, lizards, insects, and amphibians; hunts from perch and beats prey on perch before feeding.