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Stork-billed Kingfisher

Pelargopsis capensis L.

Description:

This is a very large kingfisher, measuring 35 to 38 cm in length. The adult has a green back, blue wings and tail, and grey head. Its underparts and neck are buff. The very large bill and legs are bright red. The flight of the Stork-billed Kingfisher is laboured and flapping, but direct. Sexes are similar. There are 15 races, mostly differing in plumage detail, but P. c. gigantea of the Sulu Islands has a white head, neck and underparts. The call of this noisy kingfisher is a low and far reaching peer-por-por repeated every 5 sec or so as well cackling ke-ke-ke-ke-ke-ke.

Habitat:

It is widely but sparsely distributed in the tropical Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, from India and Sri Lanka to Indonesia. This kingfisher is essentially resident throughout its range. Stork-billed Kingfisher is a species of a variety of well-wooded habitats near lakes, rivers or coasts. It perches quietly whilst seeking food, and is often inconspicuous despite its size. It is territorial and will chase away eagles and other large predators. This species hunts fish, frogs, crabs, rodents and young birds. Stork-billed Kingfisher digs its nest in a river bank, decaying tree, or a tree termite nest. A clutch of two to five round white eggs is typical.

Notes:

This description doesn't refer to the bird on the left side, on the upper wire (3rd photo) cause I'm not sure of its ID.

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injica
Spotted by
injica

Kerala, India

Spotted on Mar 28, 2011
Submitted on Apr 5, 2013

Spotted for Mission

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