Crested Kingfisher

Overview

The crested kingfisher (Megaceryle lugubris) is a very large, stocky kingfisher native to parts of southern Asia. It belongs to the Megaceryle genus and forms a species complex with the giant, ringed, and belted kingfishers.

Identification

• Very large and stocky bird, usually 38–43 cm tall.
• Distinctive shaggy, black and white barred crest on the head.
• Large, pointed black bill with a yellowish-white tip.
• Finely barred black and white upperparts with a white belly and black-speckled breastband.
• White collar extending from the base of the bill to the back of the neck.
• Females have pink-cinnamon underwing coverts, while males have rufus-orange feathers on the breastband.

Habitat

Found in forested areas close to rivers and near the foothills of mountains, often at higher altitudes than the Common Kingfisher. Its range extends from northeast Afghanistan to central Vietnam and Japan. In the Himalayas and Japan, populations may migrate altitudinally in winter to avoid frozen rivers, with some remaining near hot springs in Hokkaido.

Diet

A specialist fish-eater that consumes larger fish than other kingfisher species. It typically perches on high points above water to spot prey and dives head-first to capture it, avoiding the hovering dives common to other kingfishers. Where it overlaps with the Common Kingfisher, it prefers larger open channels and dives from higher positions.

Did you know?

The specific name lugubris is Latin for 'mournful'.