Less common call of the White-throated Kingfisher

YC Wee
on 19th February 2012

“Our resident kingfisher has modified its call this season.

“The White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) has many different calls. An audio recording (only amplified) of one it uses when perched on an electrical pole or in a tree is attached HERE. A ‘visual’ digital record of the calls is shown below.

What is odd is the second part of the call. The first trilling call is conventional but the second follow on harsh call I have not heard often but very common in this particular a bird. I am not sure what it relates to in this adult.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Canning Garden Home, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
14th December 2011

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.

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2 responses

  1. My interpretation of the common first part of this call is that it is an alert call for the youngsters nearby. I have never heard WT Kingfisher vocalising the harsh call. But I think it is a raised status to warning for the youngsters, similar in purpose to the harsh call of the “Fearless” Oriental Magpie in the blog dated 14 Sep 2011.

    Reply
  2. Pingback: Bird Ecology Study Group Video clip of the White-throated Kingfisher’s call

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