Scientific Name: Halcyon smyrnensis
Malay Name: Pekaka Dada Putih
Chinese Name: 白胸翡翠
Range: Found from Egypt, Turkey, Middle East, Indian subcontinent, southern China to Southeast Asia
Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: smyrnensis, fusca, perpulchra, saturatior, fokiensis.
Local Subspecies: perpulchra
Size: 27.5-29.5 cm
Identification: Adult has dark chestnut head, flanks and belly with contrasting whitish throat and centre of breast, mostly turquoise-blue mantle, wings and tail, dark chestnut/blackish wing-coverts and reddish bill. Juvenile has duller upperparts, browner bill and dark vermiculations on throat and breast.
Similar looking species: Black-capped Kingfisher
Habitat: Parks, gardens and wooded areas near open grass patches, water-bodies, canals, rivers and mangroves.
Behaviour/Ecology: Feeds on fish, lizards, insects and small amphibians.
Local Status: Very common resident
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2017)
Location: Any patch of suitable habitat.
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Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (White-throated Kingfisher)
References:
BirdLife International. (2017). Halcyon smyrnensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22725846A119289544.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.). White-throated Kingfisher. Retrieved on July 19, 2025 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/white-throated-kingfisher.