Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle Rudis)
The size of Pied Kingfisher is between
Myna and Pigeon, but it ‘looks’ stout and is black and white
in colour. The bill is typical ‘kingfisher-like’. The female
is similar to the male, except that the a single black gorget is
broken in the middle. In males it is more or less complete-unbroken.
¤ Found In
It is be found near water bodies at its favourite spot from where it
takes off , hovers steadily at the height of about 10 meters or so,
eyes the fish and then with superb efficiency dives into the water.
You will be surprised at the speed with which it catches the fish.
Fish in its bill it returns to its favourite spot where it breaks the
catch before eating. The bird is found throughout the sub-continent,
except Kerala.
The nesting season is between October to May. Nest is a horizontal
tunnel like structure dug in a precipitous mud-bank of the stream,
where five and six glossy eggs are laid. Interestingly, both the
parents share digging of the nest, incubation and feeding the young
ones. |
