Stork-billed Kingfisher (species: Pelargopsis capensis) in Laos Wildlife (Gaia Guide)
Laos Wildlife > Aves > Coraciiformes > Pelargopsis capensis (gallery)
Pelargopsis capensis
Stork-billed Kingfisher


©Lip Kee Yap: Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis)

©Devu Satish: Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis)

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Coraciiformes
Family Alcedinidae
Genus Pelargopsis
Species Pelargopsis capensis

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Distinguishing features

This is a very large kingfisher. The adult has a green back, blue wings and tail, and grey head. Its underparts and neck are buff. The very large bill and legs are bright red. Sexes are similar.

There are 15 races, mostly differing in plumage detail, but P. c. gigantea of the Sulu Islands has a white head, neck and underparts.

Size

  • Up to 38 cm (Length of specimen)

Wingspan

  • Wingspan data is not yet available.

Synonyms

Distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

It is a tree kingfisher which is widely but sparsely distributed in the tropical Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, from India and Sri Lanka to Indonesia.

It is essentially resident throughout its range. (Wikipedia)

Diet

It perches quietly whilst seeking food. It hunts fish, frogs, crabs, rodents and young birds. (Wikipedia)

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