Hunting White-throated Kingfishers
The White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) is considered a large kingfisher at 28cm in length and is also known at the White-breasted Kingfisher or the Smyrna Kingfisher. It has a widespread distribution, ranging from Bulgaria in Eurasia, east through South Asia to the Philippines. There are four variations of plumage documented throughout the range where the kingfisher is often a resident often found well away from water where it feeds on small reptiles, amphibians, crabs, small rodents and small birds. In Malaysia generally and in many rural areas in Penang White-throated Kingfishers are seen of perches frequently along roadsides on telegraph poles and on tree stumps. During the mating season they announce their presence by calling loudly. This kingfisher, albeit considered common, is a target for nature photographers because of the combination of iridescent blue and chocolate brown feather colors offset by a bright red bill and orange/red feet. I was ha