My Kingfishers of Thailand
Updated: Jun 1, 2020
Thailand has 16 recorded species of Kingfisher, most of which are resident, a few winter visitors and one very rare winter visitor. Over the last few years I have managed to observe and photograph all but a few of these wonderful birds. Common kingfisher. Alcedo atthis A very common winter visitor to Thailand. Also known as the Eurasian kingfisher, it is a small kingfisher with seven subspecies recognized within its wide distribution across Eurasia and North Africa. It is resident in much of its range. This picture was taken here in Pathumthani province near my home. Status; Least Concern
Blue-eared kingfisher. Alcedo meninting Found in Asia, ranging across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is found mainly in dense shaded forests where it hunts in small streams. This picture was taken here in Kaeng Krachan NP. Status; Least Concern
Blue-banded kingfisher. Alcedo euryzona Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical mangrove forest, and rivers. This picture was taken here in Kaeng Krachan NP. Status; Critically Endangered
Black-backed kingfisher. Ceyx erithaca A widespread resident of lowland forest, it is endemic across much of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. This picture was taken on a trip here to Kaeng Krachan NP. Status; Least Concern
Pied kingfisher. Ceryle rudis A water kingfisher and is found widely distributed across Africa and Asia. Its black and white plumage, crest and the habit of hovering over clear lakes and rivers before diving for fish make it distinctive. This picture was taken here in Ayuttaya province on the Chao Phraya River. Status; Least Concern
Banded kingfisher. Lacedo pulchella A tree kingfisher found in lowland tropical forests of Southeast Asia. It is the only member of the genus Lacedo. Male and female adults are very different in plumage. The male has a bright blue crown with black and blue banding on the back. The female has rufous and black banding on the head and upperparts. This picture was taken on a trip here to Kaeng Krachan NP. Status; Least Concern
Stork-billed kingfisher. Pelargopsis capensis A tree kingfisher which is widely but sparsely distributed in the tropical Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, from India to Indonesia. It is a very large kingfisher, measuring 35 cm (14 in) in length and is resident throughout its range. Bangkok’s parks and open countryside are great places to find this kingfisher. A good place to see this bird is here at Suan Rot Fai in Bangkok. Status; Least Concern
Ruddy kingfisher. Halcyon coromanda A medium-sized tree kingfisher, widely distributed in east and Southeast Asia. Ruddy kingfishers inhabit forested areas from the temperate to tropical zones, often in thick jungles and rainforests. This picture was taken here in Surat Thani province. Status; Least Concern
White-throated kingfisher. Halcyon smyrnensis A tree kingfisher, widely distributed in Asia from Turkey east through the Indian subcontinent to the Philippines. This kingfisher is a resident over much of its range, although some populations may make short distance movements. It can often be found well away from water where it feeds on a wide range of prey that includes small reptiles, amphibians, crabs, small rodents and even birds. A good place to see this bird is here around the Phetchaburi rice fields..
Status; Least Concern
Black-capped kingfisher. Halcyon pileata Winter visitor and passage migrant. A tree kingfisher which is widely distributed in tropical Asia from India east to China, Korea and Southeast Asia. A good place to see this bird is here at Pak Phli, Nakhon Nayok province.
Status; Least Concern
Collared kingfisher. Todirhamphus chloris Most commonly found in coastal areas, particularly in mangrove swamps. It also inhabits farmland, open woodland, grassland and gardens. In some parts of its range, especially on islands, it can be seen further inland, ranging into forest or into mountain areas. Birds often perch conspicuously on wires, rocks or bare branches.A good place to see this bird is here at Pak Thale in Petchaburi province. Status; Least Concern
Crested kingfisher. Megaceryle lugubris A very large kingfisher that is native to parts of southern Asia, stretching eastwards from the Indian Subcontinent towards Japan. It is resident in the Himalayas and mountain foothills of northern India, Bangladesh, northern Indochina, Southeast Asia and Japan. This bird is mainly found in mountain rivers and larger rivers in the foothills of mountains. Read my story of how I finally got this one here. Status; Least Concern
Rufous-collared kingfisher. Actenoides concretus Rare and reduced Found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It is threatened by habitat loss. A good place to find this bird is here at Sri Phang Nga NP.
Status; Near Threatened
Brown-winged kingfisher. Pelargopsis amauroptera Found along the north and eastern coasts of the Bay of Bengal, occurring in the countries of Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical mangrove forests. Status; Near Threatened Rufous-backed dwarf-kingfisher. Ceyx rufidorsa Blyth's kingfisher. Alcedo hercules Very rare visitor