Dec 09
by Admin in Rajasthan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, common kingfisher, Digitalfrescos, kingfisher, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, small blue kingfisher

Small blue kingfisher – Chintoo, Jaipur

The common kingfisher also known as the small blue kingfisher, Eurasian kingfisher, and river kingfisher, is a small kingfisher with seven subspecies recognized within its wide distribution across Eurasia and North Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but migrates from areas where rivers freeze in winter. Like all kingfishers, the common kingfisher is highly territorial; since it must eat around 60% of its body weight each day, it is essential to have control of a suitable stretch of river. It is solitary for most of the year, roosting alone in heavy cover. If another kingfisher enters its territory, both birds display from perches, and fights may occur, in which a bird will grab the other’s beak and try to hold it under water. The common kingfisher hunts from a perch above the water, on a branch, post or riverbank, bill pointing down as it searches for prey. It bobs its head when food is detected to gauge the distance, and plunges steeply down to seize its prey usually below the surface. The wings are opened under water and the open eyes are protected by the transparent third eyelid. The bird rises beak-first from the surface and flies […]
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Dec 09
by Admin in Rajasthan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Digitalfrescos, kingfisher, lesser pied, lesser pied kingfisher, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, Pied, pied kingfisher

Lesser pied kingfisher in flight, Jaipur

Not only is the pied kingfisher the largest bird capable of a true hover in still air, it is also the only kingfisher with all black and white plumage. This distinctive bird has white-spotted, black upperparts and white underparts, with a broad band of black streaks on the upper-breast and a narrow black bar below. There is a prominent white eyebrow and a black eyeband that stretches to the back of the neck, as well as a white throat and collar and a white patch on the wing-coverts. The rump is barred black and white, the iris is brown and the weak, fleshy, feet and legs are black. The male pied kingfisher as in this image is distinguished from the female by the presence of two full breast bands, with the female having just a single incomplete band. A proficient predator of fish, the pied kingfisher forages from a perch or while hovering, flying low over the water before rising up to ten metres, holding a brief hover, and then plunging into the water and seizing its target in its bill. Because of the pied kingfisher’s unrivalled ability to hover, it does not always require extensive woodland around its habitat […]
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Dec 09
by Admin in Rajasthan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Digitalfrescos, kingfisher, lesser pied, lesser pied kingfisher, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, Pied, pied kingfisher

Lesser pied kingfisher male portrait, Jaipur

Not only is the pied kingfisher the largest bird capable of a true hover in still air, it is also the only kingfisher with all black and white plumage. This distinctive bird has white-spotted, black upperparts and white underparts, with a broad band of black streaks on the upper-breast and a narrow black bar below. There is a prominent white eyebrow and a black eyeband that stretches to the back of the neck, as well as a white throat and collar and a white patch on the wing-coverts. The rump is barred black and white, the iris is brown and the weak, fleshy, feet and legs are black. The male pied kingfisher as in this image is distinguished from the female by the presence of two full breast bands, with the female having just a single incomplete band. A proficient predator of fish, the pied kingfisher forages from a perch or while hovering, flying low over the water before rising up to ten metres, holding a brief hover, and then plunging into the water and seizing its target in its bill. Because of the pied kingfisher’s unrivalled ability to hover, it does not always require extensive woodland around its habitat […]
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Mar 03
by Admin in Sattal 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, crested king fisher, crested kingfisher, Digitalfrescos, king fisher, kingfisher, Nikon, Nikon D750, sattal, Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD

Crested Kingfisher habitat, Sattal

Distinctive large kingfisher with long crest feathers. A resident of the Himalayas this bird is mainly found in mountain rivers and larger rivers in the foothills of mountains. It is classified as least concern by IUCN.
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Mar 03
by Admin in Sattal 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, crested king fisher, crested kingfisher, Digitalfrescos, king fisher, kingfisher, Nikon, Nikon D750, sattal, Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD

Crested kingfisher flying, Sattal

Distinctive large kingfisher with long crest feathers. A resident of the Himalayas this bird is mainly found in mountain rivers and larger rivers in the foothills of mountains. It is classified as least concern by IUCN.
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