The Flickr Halcyon Image Generatr

Grey-headed kingfisher (Halcyon leucocephala) perched on a branch

Waterberg Biosphere, South Africa

one of the non-aquatic kingfisher species of Africa

Halcyon albiventris
Bruinkapijsvogel
Martin-chasseur à tête brune
Braunkopfliest
Alción Cabecipardo
Martin pescatore monaco
guarda-rios-de-cabeça-castanha

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White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) also known as the white-breasted kingfisher is a tree kingfisher, widely distributed in Asia from the Sinai east through the Indian subcontinent to the Philippines. This kingfisher is a resident over much of its range, although some populations may make short distance movements. It can often be found well away from water where it feeds on a wide range of prey that includes small reptiles, amphibians, crabs, small rodents and even birds. During the breeding season they call loudly in the mornings from prominent perches including the tops of buildings in urban areas or on wires.

The adult has a bright blue back, wings and tail. Its head, shoulders, flanks and lower belly are chestnut, and the throat and breast are white. The large bill and legs are bright red. The flight of the white-throated kingfisher is rapid and direct, the short rounded wings whirring. In flight, large white patches are visible on the blue and black wings. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are a duller version of the adult.

It perches conspicuously on wires or other exposed perches within its territory, and is a frequent sight in south Asia. This species mainly hunts large crustaceans, insects, earthworms, rodents, snakes, fish and frogs. Predation of small birds such as the Indian white-eye, chick of a red-wattled lapwing, sparrows and munias have been reported. The young are fed mostly on invertebrates. In captivity, it has been noted that it rarely drinks water although bathing regularly.

The white-throated kingfisher begins breeding at the onset of the Monsoons. Males perch on prominent high posts in their territory and call in the early morning. The tail may be flicked now and in its courtship display the wings are stiffly flicked open for a second or two exposing the white wing mirrors. They also raise their bill high and display the white throat and front. The female in invitation makes a rapid and prolonged kit-kit-kit... call. The nest is a tunnel (50 cm long, but a nest with a 3-foot tunnel has been noted) in an earth bank. The nest building begins with both birds flying into a suitable mud wall until an indentation is made where they can find a perch hold. They subsequently perch and continue digging the nest with their bills. Nest tunnels in a haystack have also been recorded. A single clutch of 4-7 round white eggs is typical. The eggs take 20–22 days to hatch while the chicks fledge in 19 days.

Photo by Nick Dobbs, Langkawi, Malaysia 14-04-2025

White-throated Kingfisher, Victoria Park, Hong Kong, April 2025.

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The Good News depot wasn't good news on this day, at least for anyone like me wanting some decent pictures, so I made do with this old Volvo B58, which was at least unaffected by shadows.

This B58 had spent its whole life in Hull thus far, having been new to Halcyon Tours as JKH 609N in 1975, and coming to Good News in 1980. As things turned out, it only had one more year left here, and it passed to Yorkshire Tours across at Sheffield in 1989, for its last two years.

Its end may have come a little earlier, as it has clearly had a complete new front end, which may have been the result of an accident - it certainly did not have a Bristol dome fitted when new, but it did have a display box under the windscreen, which had been replaced by its Mk IV front panel.

Good News depot, Hull, 20/7/88

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Sony ILCE-7RM4 +
Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)

ISO Speed 1600
Aperture : f/8.0
Exposure : 1/125 secs
Exposure Bias : -2 EV
Focal Length : 900mm (600mm X Crop Factor 1.5x)

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Striped kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti, adult perched on branch, Nambikala, Brikama, The Gambia, January

Striped kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti, adult perched on branch, Nambikala, Brikama, The Gambia, January

Striped kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti, adult perched on branch, Nambikala, Brikama, The Gambia, January

Blue-breasted kingfisher Halcyon malimbica, adult roosting in tree canopy, Mandina Lodges, Kombo East, The Gambia, January

Striped kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti, adult perched on branch, Nambikala, Brikama, The Gambia, January

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