White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)
Order: CORACIIFORMES
Family: AICEDINIDAE Kingfishers
Scientific name: Halcyon smyrnensis
English name: White-throated Kingfisher
Characteristic: Size 28 cm. Easily recognized by a large bright red bill. Upperpart is bright blue; while head, neck, shoulder and belly are reddish brown. Distinctive white patch on throat and upper breast. Legs and feet are bright red.
Distribution: Middle East, Southern China, Hainan, Taiwan, the Philippines, the Andamans, SE Asia
Habitat: Dipterocarp forest, dry evergreen forest, secondary growth and some agricultural areas.
Habit: Keeps close to the water bodies. Seen perching on exposed branches and electric cables, watching for moving prey species, such as large insects, amphibians and small reptiles. Nesting is done in the dry season by tunnelling into steep banks, sometimes in a tree cavity, depositing an usual clutch of 4-6 eggs.
Status: An uncommon resident. Its distinctive scream is more often heard. It has been observed, now and then, along the stream.
