Search

Black-capped Kingfisher in flight

on 19th January 2009

Most images of the Black-capped Kingfisher (Halcyon pileata) show the bird perching (above left). In this posture the prominent white patch on each wing is not visible. In flight, especially when seen from above, these patches are conspicuous, formed by the white bases of the primaries feathers. Allan Teo a.k.a. eagleeye is sharing with us his image of the kingfisher in flight where the prominent white patches on the wings are clearly shown (above right).

With the wings outstretched, the jet-black head, white collar and throat that extend to the centre of the breast, and orange-rufus belly, flanks and lower wing-coverts are all very prominent.

At the same time the large red bill and short dark red legs and feet are also obvious.

The plumage colouration seen in flight from above is shown in an earlier post. The wings appear black and blue and the white patches are also conspicuous.

Images by Allan Teo.

References:
1.
Fry, C.H. & K. Fry, 1992. Kingfishers, bee-eaters and rollers. New Jersey, Princeton University Press. 324 pp.
2. Wells, D.R., 1999. The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsular. Vol. I, Non-passerines. Academic Press, London. 648 pp.

This post is a cooperative effort between www.naturepixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Live visitors
519
4981
Visitors Today
51719869
Total
Visitors

Clustrmaps (since 2016)