Another first for me, but this time not a shot I am proud of though it shows clearly the birds typical behaviour of hovering over water while looking for fish. The pied kingfisher (ceryle rudis) is a water kingfisher and is found widely distributed across Africa and Asia. Its black and white plumage and crest makes it distinctive. This kingfisher feeds mainly on fish, although it will take crustaceans and large aquatic insects such as dragonfly larvae. It usually hunts by hovering over the water to detect prey and diving vertically down bill-first to capture fish.
Tags: canon eos 550d rebel t2i kiss x4 300mm tele Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM bird fauna kingfisher pied kingfisher ceryle rudis pied male ceryle rudis travancoreensis
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Clicked in the backyard. It was barely 20 feet from me but least bothered by my presence, intent on looking for prey.
Tags: canon eos 550d rebel t2i kiss x4 300mm tele Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM bird fauna smyrna white-breasted white-throated kingfisher white-throated kingfisher halcyon smyrnensis halcyon smyrnensis fusca
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This particular bird was barely 25 feet from me but not once did it seem bothered by my presence. Clicked in the backyard while it was sitting on a low perch looking in all directions for potential prey. I have been lucky with these kingfishers as I have numerous photos of them in various poses some with amazing detail. Not particularly bold but not too shy either, these 28 cm. long birds perch conspicuously on wires or low branches and are a common sight in south Asia. In this shot one can see the distinctive bright blue back, wings and tail. 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.
Tags: canon eos 550d rebel t2i kiss x4 300mm tele Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM bird fauna smyrna white-breasted white-throated kingfisher white-throated kingfisher halcyon smyrnensis halcyon smyrnensis fusca
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Clicked in the backyard. A few interesting facts about this bird. 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 Oriental White-eye, 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.
Source Wikipedia.
Tags: canon eos 550d rebel t2i kiss x4 300mm tele Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM bird fauna smyrna white-breasted white-throated kingfisher white-throated kingfisher halcyon smyrnensis halcyon smyrnensis fusca
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Clicked in the backyard. This largish (28 cms.) kingfisher is a common species of a variety of habitats, mostly open country in the plains with trees, wires or other perches. The range of the species is expanding.
Tags: canon eos 550d rebel t2i kiss x4 Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM bird fauna smyrna white-breasted white-throated kingfisher white-throated kingfisher halcyon smyrnensis halcyon smyrnensis fusca 300mm
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