Alternative names: White-breasted Kingfisher or Smyrna Kingfisher
- Halcyon smyrnensis
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
South Asia from Turkey east to the Philippines.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Habitats with some trees.
Behaviour
The diet includes large insects, rodents, snakes, fish and frogs. It is reputed to eat tired migratory passerine birds like Chiffchaff s where the opportunity arises.
The nest is a 50cm tunnel in an earth bank. 4-7 round white eggs are laid.
