Stork-billed Kingfisher

Overview

The stork-billed kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis) is a large tree kingfisher widely but sparsely distributed across the tropical Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is found in habitats ranging from India to Indonesia.

Identification

• Very large size, measuring approximately 35 cm in length.
• Plumage features a green back, blue wings and tail, olive-brown head, and buff underparts and neck.
• Possesses a very large, bright red bill and legs.
• Flight is described as laboured and flapping but direct.
• Noisy call includes a low, far-reaching 'peer-por-por' repeated roughly every five seconds and cackling 'ke-ke' sounds.

Habitat

This species inhabits a variety of well-wooded, lowland areas near streams, ponds, lakes, rivers, or coasts. It is found throughout the tropical Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, from India to Indonesia. The bird is largely sedentary, though it may disperse to find water during dry weather.

Diet

The stork-billed kingfisher perches quietly to hunt fish, frogs, crabs, rodents, and young birds. They have also been recorded feeding on fruits. As a territorial species, it is known to chase away eagles and other large predators.

Did you know?

Despite Linnaeus naming the species capensis based on a belief that his original specimen came from the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, the bird does not occur in Africa and is now known to have originated near Chandannagar in West Bengal, India.