Azure Kingfisher
Behana Gorge, November 2021.
These birds get their name from their rich Azure blue upper body. Both sexes look alike. They are found in watercourses, mangroves and wetlands.
Behana Gorge, November 2021.
They have white throat and neck plumes.
They have a small orange spot before their dark eyes. The bill is long and black. I am always surprised how skinny the birds heads are when you view them from directly the back or front.
Behana Gorge, November 2021.
Their underparts and breast are orange tan. To the sides they turn blue.
The feet are orange with 3 toes, two pointing forward and one backward.
Behana Gorge, November 2021.
They hunt for fish and aquatic life usually from a low hanging branch or rock.
They usually return to perch and batter prey before swallowing it hole. I have not seen one catch anything yet but this one kept on flying back to the same spot and bobbing up and down.