White-breasted Kingfisher

India is one of the countries possessing the most number of varieties of birds. It is estimated that, of the total 9700 species found worldwide, India has about 1300. Of these 142 are endemic to India. Kerala, one of the smallest of the Indian states, has about 500 species, of which 16 are endemic to Western Ghats and can be seen in the forests of Kerala. Also in the matter of colour and beauty some of our birds are the most exquisite found anywhere.

There are almost 90 species of Kingfishers in the world. All of them belong to the three families, viz; Alcedinidae, Halcyonidae, and Cerylidae under the sub order Alcedines of Coraciiformes which comes under the Aves class. The most common of Kerala fauna, White-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon Smyrnensis) belongs to the family of tree kingfishers, the Halcyonidae.

The White-breasted kingfisher is also called the White-throated or Smyrna kingfisher. Unlike many other kingfishers, the White-breasted feeds on insects, frogs and lizards in addition to fishes. The striking blue colour shaded by dark maroon on its head and neck makes this species an attractive figure in the bird world. Its call is like a sharp chuckling noise

The White-breasted Kingfisher is distributed through various habitats in Kerala, India.

Courtesy: http://birdwingtours.com