White-throated Kingfisher

Scientific Name: Halcyon smyrnensis
Malay Name: Pekaka Rengkung 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: Common resident

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2017)

Location: Any patch of suitable habitat.

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White-throated Kingfisher at Hort Park. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

White-throated Kingfisher at Bidadari. Photo Credit: Alan Ng