Malaysian birds - Banded Kingfisher

Malaysian Birds

Banded Kingfisher

Size & diagnostic markings:- 24 Cm. This Kingfisher has short tail, and with it length only on the body the bird appears bulky. The part behind the crown and the nape is blue with black and white markings. The upper part with blue bars and the under part whitish towards warm buff. The front of the crown and the side of the head in chestnut. Bill is usually red.

Distribution :- This is a bird of Sumatra, Java and Borneo islands. This is a fairly common bird in Peninsula, though hardly seen.

Habitats & preferences:- This is a bird of the lowland forest with many exceptions. It is a bird of the canopy and stay far away from water. Have forest the bird next to the sea shore before. It is also found in mountains like Bukit TInggi and Awana which is near sub-montane.

The first of the "big" Kingfishers, the Banded Kingfisher appeared bulky at 24 cm in size. The bird is heard very often in dense forest. As it chooses the canopy with thick foliages, it hardly spotted. It will remain in that same perch for long period of time at times the male making the loud familiar calls. Another habit of the bird of raising its crown feathers and lowering them in a wave movements. What surprises me is that the bird do descend to lower storey and likewise perched. Most heard in the forest of Congkak and Rengit which are lowland forest. The birds in my pictures are taken in Bukit Tinggi and Awana, both having near sub-montane environment. The bird was also in Cape Richardo [Tanjong Tuan] seen during the Raptor watch, a mangrove forest environment. The call is quite distinctive and easily learnt. This is a resident and should be available throughout the year.

In Malaysia, where can the bird be found:- The bird is common in place with original forest and tall ancient trees. Some places that I often go to:- Perdik, Rengit and Kemensah. But seen often in Bukit Rengit and Awana.