Stork-billed Kingfisher

The Stork-billed Kingfisher, Pelargopsis capensis, is a grand avian spectacle, boasting a sizeable stature at 35 cm in length. This tree kingfisher is adorned with a vibrant palette: a green back, blue wings and tail, and an olive-brown head. Its underparts and neck are a soft buff, while the bill and legs are a striking bright red.

Identification Tips

When identifying this species, look for its very large red bill, which is reminiscent of a stork's, hence the name. The sexes appear similar, making the task of distinguishing them a subtle art. The bird's flight is somewhat labored and flapping, yet it maintains a direct path.

Habitat

The Stork-billed Kingfisher favors well-wooded environments, often found near bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, or coastal areas. It is a bird that appreciates the tranquility of nature's aquatic offerings.

Distribution

This kingfisher has a wide but sparse presence across the tropical Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, from India to Indonesia. It is a resident bird, meaning it does not typically migrate and is found throughout its range year-round.

Behaviour

A quiet and often inconspicuous percher, the Stork-billed Kingfisher is territorial in nature. It does not hesitate to chase away even large predators such as eagles. It is a skilled hunter, preying on fish, frogs, crabs, rodents, and occasionally young birds.

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire of this species includes a low, far-reaching "peer-por-por" repeated every few seconds, as well as a cackling "ke-ke-ke-ke-ke-ke," which can be heard echoing through its habitat.

Breeding

Nests are excavated in river banks, decaying trees, or even in the nests of tree termites. The Stork-billed Kingfisher lays a clutch of two to five round white eggs, a modest but precious brood.

Similar Species

There are 13 recognized races or subspecies of the Stork-billed Kingfisher, mostly differentiated by subtle plumage details. One notable variety, P. c. gigantea from the Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines, is distinguished by its white head, neck, and underparts.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Stork-billed Kingfisher is quite diverse, including aquatic and terrestrial prey such as fish, frogs, crabs, rodents, and young birds. It hunts with patience and precision, often from a secluded perch.

Conservation status

The Stork-billed Kingfisher is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that, for now, this species does not face immediate threats to its survival on a global scale. However, continued monitoring is essential to ensure it remains out of danger.