Yes, the kingfisher is a bird found in India. Kingfishers are a group of small to medium sized brightly colored birds in the family Alcedinidae. There are over 90 different species of kingfisher that inhabit a range of environments across the world. India is home to 13 known species of kingfisher.
Quick Facts About Kingfishers in India
Here are some quick facts about kingfishers found in India:
- There are 13 known species of kingfisher in India
- The most widespread species is the common kingfisher which inhabits a range of aquatic habitats
- The largest is the stork-billed kingfisher with a body length up to 38 cm
- The smallest is the three-toed kingfisher which is only 13 cm long
- Kingfishers occupy a range of habitats from rainforests to deserts
- Most kingfishers are brightly colored in shades of blue, green and orange
- They have strong, large beaks adapted for catching fish
- Kingfishers are near threatened globally but Indian species remain common
Kingfisher Species Found in India
The 13 known species of kingfisher found in India are:
- Common kingfisher
- Stork-billed kingfisher
- White-throated kingfisher
- Black-capped kingfisher
- Pied kingfisher
- Collared kingfisher
- Blue-eared kingfisher
- Oriental dwarf kingfisher
- Black-backed dwarf kingfisher
- Three-toed kingfisher
- White-breasted kingfisher
- Blue-banded kingfisher
- Brown-winged kingfisher
Species | Scientific Name |
---|---|
Common kingfisher | Alcedo atthis |
Stork-billed kingfisher | Pelargopsis capensis |
White-throated kingfisher | Halcyon smyrnensis |
Black-capped kingfisher | Halcyon pileata |
Pied kingfisher | Ceryle rudis |
Collared kingfisher | Todiramphus chloris |
Blue-eared kingfisher | Alcedo meninting |
Oriental dwarf kingfisher | Ceyx erithaca |
Black-backed dwarf kingfisher | Ceyx erithaca |
Three-toed kingfisher | Ceyx erithaca |
White-breasted kingfisher | Halcyon smyrnensis |
Blue-banded kingfisher | Alcedo euryzona |
Brown-winged kingfisher | Pelargopsis amauropterus |
Description of Common Indian Kingfisher Species
Common Kingfisher
The common kingfisher is the most widespread and frequently encountered kingfisher in India. It inhabits a range of wetland and aquatic habitats across the country. They have a bright blue-green back and wings, while the undersides are orange-rust colored. The common kingfisher reaches lengths of 18-21 cm. They feed predominantly on small fish, aquatic insects and crustaceans. Common kingfishers breed from March to August, nesting in burrows excavated into the banks of rivers and lakes.
Stork-Billed Kingfisher
The stork-billed kingfisher is India’s largest kingfisher species, recognizable by its massive triangular orange-red bill. Their plumage is predominately green and orange. Stork-billed kingfishers measure 35-38 cm in length. As their name suggests, they forage in a similar manner to storks, walking slowly through shallow waters probing for prey including fish, frogs, crabs and large insects. They are found in wetlands across India except for the high elevations of the Himalayas.
White-Throated Kingfisher
The white-throated kingfisher has brilliant blue upper-parts contrasting with a white throat, breast and belly. They reach a length of about 25 cm. White-throated kingfishers occupy a range of habitats from forests to urban parks across India. They often perch conspicuously before swooping down to catch lizards, rodents, large insects and other prey. Their call is a distinctive high-pitched metallic ‘kee-kee-kee’.
Pied Kingfisher
The pied kingfisher is a black and white medium sized kingfisher species found widely in India. They have a black head, back and breastband contrasting with a white underside and collar. Pied kingfishers reach about 28 cm in length. As their name suggests, they are highly varied in plumage. Pied kingfishers inhabit lakes, rivers and coastlines where they dive for fish. They may also eat amphibians and aquatic invertebrates.
Habitats Occupied by Kingfishers in India
Kingfishers in India occupy a diverse range of aquatic and terrestrial habitats across the country. Some of the main habitats include:
- Lakes and rivers – used by many species for foraging
- Coastlines – occupied by common kingfishers and related species
- Mangrove forests – important for white-collared kingfishers
- Woodlands – used by forest-dwelling species like the stork-billed kingfisher
- Urban parks and gardens – increasingly used by adaptable species like the white-throated kingfisher
- Agricultural areas – species like the white-throated kingfisher inhabit irrigated fields
The availability of aquatic habitats with clear water and ample prey is a key factor determining the distribution of kingfisher species that rely on fish and aquatic prey. Terrestrial and woodland species are more widely distributed across drier habitats where they take reptiles, insects and rodents.
Threats and Conservation
While Indian kingfisher populations remain relatively stable, some species face threats from habitat loss, disturbance and declining water quality. Key threats include:
- Wetland habitat destruction – draining or degradation of lakes and rivers
- Disturbance of nesting sites – riverbank erosion, infrastructure development
- Water pollution – agricultural runoff and industrial pollution reducing water quality
- Overfishing – depletion of prey fish stocks
Targeted conservation efforts are needed to preserve key wetland habitats and maintain good water quality. Protecting known nesting sites along riverbanks and lakes is also important. At a species level, the blue-eared kingfisher appears to have a rapidly declining population trend and may need more focused conservation actions.
Kingfisher Species | Conservation Status | Population Trend |
---|---|---|
Common kingfisher | Least Concern | Stable |
Stork-billed kingfisher | Least Concern | Stable |
White-throated kingfisher | Least Concern | Stable |
Blue-eared kingfisher | Near Threatened | Decreasing |
Cultural Importance and Folklore
Kingfishers have featured prominently in Indian culture, folklore and mythology. Their bright plumage has inspired many tales and associations.
In Hindu mythology, the kingfisher represents the gods Vishnu and Lakshmi who possess brilliant blue coloring. Seeing a kingfisher is considered auspicious by some.
The iridescent feathers of species like the white-throated kingfisher and common kingfisher are sometimes used in traditional costumes and jewelry. Kingfisher feathers were historically prized among India’s tribal cultures.
Kingfishers sometimes appear in Indian folk songs and stories, where they may represent themes of fidelity, protection of the family, and guarding precious treasures.
The hovering flight pattern of kingfishers searching for fish has been compared to forms of Indian classical dance in folklore. Their sharp vision and ability to dive swiftly for prey is seen as a sign of acute awareness in some traditions.
Overall, kingfishers have inspired awe, appreciation and reflection among India’s diverse cultures for their beauty, powers of vision and association with water habitats.
Conclusion
In summary, kingfishers form a distinct and iconic family of birds well represented across India by 13 known species. India’s kingfishers come in a range of shapes and sizes, from tiny dwarf kingfishers to the giant stork-billed kingfisher. They occupy diverse aquatic and terrestrial habitats where their bright plumage and loud calls make them conspicuous. While Indian kingfisher populations remain in reasonable health, some species require conservation efforts to preserve key wetland habitats and clean waterways. Beyond their important ecological roles, kingfishers have inspired creativity, folklore and appreciation among India’s human cultures.