White-throated Kingfisher raising crest feathers

YC Wee
on 18th June 2017

“Some birds (perhaps most) have the ability to raise crest feathers. Among kingfishers the Banded Kingfisher (Lacedo pulchella) is well known for this behaviour.

White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis-3-Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia-26th May 2017

“I had not previously documented this in White-throated Kingfishers (Halcyon smyrnensis). Their resting behaviour is better seen as a head bobbing, up and down. I saw this White-throated Kingfisher frequently raising its crest feathers (above, below).

K'fisherWhTh-crest [AmarSingh]

“This is not as apparent as in some other birds. The reason for this behaviour is uncertain. It could be due to excitement or a display of sorts.

K'fisherWhTh-crest [AmarSingh]

“Although I was watching closely and could be the cause of the behaviour, it however largely had its back to me, and very soon after caught a nice fish (above).

“I suspect it is a common activity, but missed. I have GIF file of the activity but it is too large to upload. Images converted into a video file here but they do not loop, so replay to see activity well:”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
26th May 2017

Location: Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Outskirts of the city, urban environment

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the authors/contributors, and do not represent nor are they endorsed by the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore (LKCNHM, NUS) or any of NUS’s affiliates or subsidiaries. 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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From looking at birds to studying birds: The story of the Bird Ecology Study Group or BESG Part 4: Formation of BESG

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