Tropical Birds of Southeast Asia by Strange Morten;

Author:Strange, Morten;
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 1595829
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Kingfishers

This family of brightly-colored birds occurs throughout Southeast Asia. Metallic blue and orange colors dominate their plumage and all have strong beaks used for capturing prey. Some dive into water for fish but most live on insects and small vertebrates. Kingfishers perch upright on poles or branches and all have loud and somewhat harsh calls often heard when they take wing. Their flight is rapid and direct, usually low and close to the ground or over the surface of the water. The nest is always in a cavity—often a burrow in a small hill, a river bank or sometimes a hole in a tree.

Kingfishers belonging to the genus Halcyon are large, chunky birds. Two species are particularly prominent residents of Southeast Asia. The Collared Kingfisher, Halcyon chloris, (opposite, top right) is mostly found along the coast in mangrove forests, coastal woodlands and sometimes around parks and gardens. The White-throated Kingfisher, H. smyrnensis, (above) is often seen along rivers, in marshy areas and sometimes in open woodlands and around cultivated areas. Both are highly territorial— often a pair will visit the same perch throughout the year.

Alcedo kingfishers are small birds that dive into the water for fish. The Common Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis, (left) is a familiar winter visitor to wetlands all over Southeast Asia, staying to breed in some areas. The Blue-eared Kingfisher, A. meninting, (opposite, top left) is strictly a forest bird found near remote rivers and streams upcountry.

Also a forest species, the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Ceys erithacus, (opposite, bottom left) is similar to the Alcedo kingfishers, although placed in a genus of its own. The Banded Kingfisher, Lacedo pulchella, (opposite, bottom right) is different again, strictly a lowland rainforest bird, often found sitting motionless in the middle storey of the rainforest, far from wet areas.

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