Malaysian Birds

 Stork-billed Kingfisher

Size & diagnostic markings:- 41 Cm. Without doubt, this is the largest size of all Kingfishers. It is stout looking bird as well The large red bill is outstanding with the light brown head. Wings and tail blue with the rest of the body in light brown.

Distribution :-  It is resident in the Indian Sub-continent, South West China, The Sundas and the Philippines. The bird is commonly sighted in the northern part of peninsula Malaysia.

Habitats & preferences:- This is a lowland bird of the coastal areas. The bird prefers coastal forest with fresh waters. So it is not confined to the mangrove forest.

In Perak, where the bird is seen often along the main intercity road. Perched low on the electrical wiring. Once leaving the main road they could be seen at various height, usually middle to the lower storey on trees or sometimes at the low scrubs. The bird show little fear for human presence particularly if they are perched on electrical wire. We could walk around his perch and spent time making pictures.

They are more obvious in the northern states, especially in Perak and more often in the mangrove forest. So if you are around in Kual Gula area, you cannot miss seeing this bird which is in abundance. Here in central area, the bird is common in Kuala Selangor and FRIM of Kuala Lumpur. That lone bird in Frim behave slightly different, normally in middle storey or higher. When we were around, the bird would not stay long and flew away after a couple of minutes.

It is very colorful and prefer open branches, very easy to spot. Sometimes it makes continuous loud calls to the annoyance of the neighborhood. Again another resident that can be spotted throughout the year.

In Malaysia, where can the bird be found:- Though not often, but the bird could be seen some distances away from the coast. In central peninsula, an extraordinary place, Frim, the birds were often beside the tiny lakes.

With Will would Wander