(Video link. Obi link deleted) |
|||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
[[Image:wt kingfisher Neil.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Neil|Neil}}<br />[[Hong Kong]],[[China]], July, 2009]] | [[Image:wt kingfisher Neil.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Neil|Neil}}<br />[[Hong Kong]],[[China]], July, 2009]] | ||
;[[:Category:Halcyon|Halcyon]] smyrnensis | ;[[:Category:Halcyon|Halcyon]] smyrnensis | ||
| + | '''Includes: Brown-breasted Kingfisher''' | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
28 cm. Bright blue back, wings and tail, chestnut head, shoulders, flanks and lower belly, white throat and breast, bright red bill and legs, in flight large white patches are visible on the blue and black wings. Sexes are similar; juveniles are a duller version of the adult. | 28 cm. Bright blue back, wings and tail, chestnut head, shoulders, flanks and lower belly, white throat and breast, bright red bill and legs, in flight large white patches are visible on the blue and black wings. Sexes are similar; juveniles are a duller version of the adult. | ||
| Line 8: | Line 9: | ||
[[Egypt]] and [[Turkey]] east through [[Middle East]] and South [[Asia]] to the [[Philippines]]. | [[Egypt]] and [[Turkey]] east through [[Middle East]] and South [[Asia]] to the [[Philippines]]. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | Six subspecies are recognized<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>: ''smyrnensis'', ''fusca'', ''saturatior'', ''perpulchra'', ''fokiensis'', and ''gularis''. | + | Six subspecies are recognized<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>: ''smyrnensis'', ''fusca'', ''saturatior'', ''perpulchra'', ''fokiensis'', and ''gularis''.<br /> |
| + | ''gularis'' from the [[Philippines]] is sometimes accepted as full species, '''Brown-breasted Kingfisher'''. | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Habitats with some trees, not always near water. | Habitats with some trees, not always near water. | ||
Revision as of 14:15, 26 August 2012
Alternative names: White-breasted Kingfisher or Smyrna Kingfisher
- Halcyon smyrnensis
Includes: Brown-breasted Kingfisher
Identification
28 cm. Bright blue back, wings and tail, chestnut head, shoulders, flanks and lower belly, white throat and breast, bright red bill and legs, in flight large white patches are visible on the blue and black wings. Sexes are similar; juveniles are a duller version of the adult.
Distribution
Egypt and Turkey east through Middle East and South Asia to the Philippines.
Taxonomy
Six subspecies are recognized[1]: smyrnensis, fusca, saturatior, perpulchra, fokiensis, and gularis.
gularis from the Philippines is sometimes accepted as full species, Brown-breasted Kingfisher.
Habitat
Habitats with some trees, not always near water.
Behaviour
The diet includes large insects, rodents, snakes, fish and frogs. It is reputed to eat tired migratory passerine birds like Chiffchaffs where the opportunity arises.
The nest is a 50cm tunnel in an earth bank. 4-7 round white eggs are laid.
References
- Clements, James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
External Links
