White-throated kingfisher – Halcyon Cynoventri

The white-throated kingfisher belongs to the Alcenididé family.

In adults, the two sexes are similar. The head is brownish-black, with a few feathers on the neck complete blue-violet. Chin, throat, broad collar and chest are light brown to brown. The mantle, back, scapulars, rump and the above-coverts show a blue-purple hue. Small and medium-sized internal hedges are black with part of the bright turquoise blue plumage. The legs are dark red. Its size is about 27 cm and its weighs about 95 gr.

The species frequents woodlands, cultivated countryside, grasslands, rice fields, drained marshes, coastal scrub, mangroves, fish farm ponds, clear dry forests. It is absent from the dense humid forests

Emblematic of Java, Bali and small neighboring islands, its range extends from sea level up to 1.500 m. The Javan kingfisher lives alone or in pairs and stick well to the top of the trees. When hunting, it prominently post. It is found at the edge of fish ponds, where most Halcyons, capture insects. But it also consumes fish, freshwater crustaceans, larval, beetles and frogs. It is fishing near water or in shallow water. However, its attempts to catch fish after a hovering are often unsuccessful.

For the nest, both partners dig a burrow, at least one meter, in a clear and sunny place. The female lays in the nest 3 to 5 bright white eggs. In Java, the laying period occurs between February and September.