Meet The Kingfishers Living In India

 You can find different species of Kingfishers all over the world but it is also a bird of India with 12 species living there divided into three families, tree, water or river, depending on their habitat and how they hunt. They are known for brilliant dives into the water to catch fish and for their large bills and different bright colouring. Here are some of the species you might look out for when next you go birdwatching in India.

Halcyon ріlеаtа or Blасk Cарреd Kіngfіѕhеr

This is a tree kingfisher that has an almost white throat, a red bill, a black cap and blue-purple wings. It likes the coast and mangroves but it can be seen further inland.    

Ceyx erithaca or Orіеntаl Dwаrf Kіngfіѕhеr

Also called the three-toes or black-backed kingfisher it is a tree kingfisher in lowland forests. It is smaller and is yellow and red with blue-black plumage.

Alcedo Meninting or Blue-eared Kingfisher

Found across Asia it is a tree kingfisher found in forests where there is a lot of shade and hunting mainly in streams. These Kingfishers have dark rufous under colouring and a dark crown and blue ears.

Halcyon Smyrnensis or Whіtе thrоаtеd Kingfisher

Also called the White-breasted kingfisher it eats small reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, crabs and even some birds.   

Halcyon Coromanda or Ruddу Kіngfіѕhеr      

This is a medium-sized kingfisher bird of India that can get up to 25 cm long and has red large legs as well as a red bill. With their main body also being red that then goes into a purple at the tail the ruddy name makes sense!                            

Pelargopsis amauroptera or Brоwn wіngеd Kingfisher

As well as being common in India you can see them in Myanmar, Bangladesh and Thailand. They are coastal birds living in the mangrove forests and have brown wings.

Pelargopsis Capensis or Stоrk-bіllеd Kіngfіѕhеr

This tree kingfisher is pretty common in general but is more sparse in India. It can get up to 35 cm long and has a green-brown head, blue tail and wings and a green back. Their flight is more laboured than other kingfishers and prefer wooded habitats near rivers, lakes or the coast. It is very territorial.

Megaceryle lugubris or Crested Kіngfіѕhеr of India

This is one of the largest Kingfishers in India and can also be found across south Asia. Mostly found near mountain rivers it is black and white with a spotted breast and a crest that is shaggy.

Todiramphus chloris or Whіtе Cоllаrеd Kіngfіѕhеr

A medium sized tree kingfisher it is also called the Mangrove kingfisher or the White collared kingfisher of India. Found in mangroves it has a number of subspecies. It is blue-green with a white collar hence the name.

Alcedo atthis or Common Kingfisher

Also called the River Kingfisher and the Eurasian Kingfisher it is a small bird about the same size as a sparrow. It has blue above, orange underneath and has a long bill and short tail.