Home › Aves › Alcedinidae › White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)
SPECIES PROFILE
White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)
Halcyon
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent Middle East
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Open woodlands near water urban areas
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Coraciiformes
FAMILY
Alcedinidae
GENUS
Halcyon
📋 Description
SIZE
27-28 cm long 75-100 g
COLORATION
Bright blue wings brown head white throat
ADAPTATIONS
Large head and pointed bill for precise dives
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Open woodlands near water urban areas
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent Middle East
REPRODUCTION
Lays 4-7 eggs in burrows incubated 20-22 days
DIET DETAILS
Fish insects small reptiles amphibians
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Urban sprawl pesticide use
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Vibrant Predators: White-throated Kingfishers dive from perches with 90-gram bodies catching 30 grams of fish daily near Bithoor's rivers. Their blue tails flash in flight.
2
Urban Adapters: These kingfishers thrive in Delhi's gardens covering 8000 sq km. Chemical runoff threatens their prey base.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan wetlands host white-throated kingfisher sightings
Bithoor in Uttar Pradesh riverbanks offer white-throated kingfisher sightings
Sultanpur National Park in Haryana lakes have white-throated kingfisher sightings
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
October-March Dry season improves visibility near water for spotting kingfishers
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Spot white-throated kingfishers perched on wires near waterbodies
