The document discusses kingfishers found in the Sundarbans, the world's largest delta located in India and Bangladesh. It provides details on 12 different kingfisher species found in the region, including the Common Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Oriental-Dwarf Kingfisher, and Brown-winged Kingfisher. For each species, it describes their physical characteristics, habitat, seasonal presence, geographic distribution in India, and IUCN conservation status. The document aims to educate readers about the biodiversity of kingfishers living in the Sundarbans delta ecosystem.

1. SUNDARBAN
THE WORLD’S LARGEST DELTA
KINGF ISHERS
BY RATUL_GHOSH

2. ABOUT
KINGFISHERS
TYPES OF KINGFISHER
DETAILS
KINGFISHERS
SUNDARBAN
THE WORLD’S LARGEST DELTA

3. KINGFISHERS
Kingfisher, any of about 90 species of birds in three families (Alcedinidae, Halcyonidae, and Cerylidae),
noted for their spectacular dives into water. They are worldwide in distribution but are chiefly tropical.
Kingfishers, ranging in length from 10 to 42 cm (4 to 16.5 inches), have a large head, a long and
massive bill, and a compact body. Their feet are small, and, with a few exceptions, the tail is short or
medium-length. Most species have vivid plumage in bold patterns, and many are crested.
These vocal, colourful birds are renowned for their dramatic hunting techniques. Typically, the bird sits
still, watching for movement from a favourite perch. Having sighted its quarry, it plunges into the
water and catches the fish usually no deeper than 25 cm (10 inches) below the surface in its dagger-
shaped bill. With a swift downstroke of the wings, it bobs to the surface. It then takes the prey back
to the perch and stuns the fish by beating it against the perch before swallowing it. Many species also
eat crustaceans, amphibians, and reptiles.
The typical kingfishers (subfamily Alcedininae) are river dwellers, like the belted kingfisher (Megaceryle
alcyon), the only widespread North American species. This handsome crested bird flies off over the
water when disturbed, uttering a loud rattling call. It is about 30 cm (12 inches) long and is bluish gray
above and across the breast and white below. Only the females sport the brownish red band or
“belt” across the lower breast. The male in its courtship ritual offers fish to the female as she perches.
After copulation the pair circle high overhead and chase each other while crying shrilly.
SUNDARBAN
THE WORLD’S LARGEST DELTA
ABOUT KINGFISHERS

4. SUNDARBAN
THE WORLD’S LARGEST DELTA
KINGFISHERS
COMMON KINGFISHER
Alcedo atthis
BLUE-EARED KINGFISHER
Alcedo meninting
ORIENTAL-DWARF
KINGFISHER
Ceyx erithica

5. SUNDARBAN
THE WORLD’S LARGEST DELTA
KINGFISHERS
BLUE-EARED KINGFISHER
Alcedo meninting
ORIENTAL-DWARF
KINGFISHER
Ceyx erithica
BROWN-WINGED
KINGFISHER
Pelargopsis amauroptera

6. SUNDARBAN
THE WORLD’S LARGEST DELTA
ORIENTAL-DWARF
KINGFISHER
Ceyx erithica
BROWN-WINGED
KINGFISHER
Pelargopsis amauroptera
STORK-BILLED
KINGFISHER
Pelargopsis capensis
KINGFISHERS

7. SUNDARBAN
THE WORLD’S LARGEST DELTA
BROWN-WINGED
KINGFISHER
Pelargopsis amauroptera
STORK-BILLED
KINGFISHER
Pelargopsis capensis
RUDDY
KINGFISHER
Halcyon coromanda
KINGFISHERS

8. SUNDARBAN
THE WORLD’S LARGEST DELTA
ra
STORK-BILLED
KINGFISHER
Pelargopsis capensis
RUDDY
KINGFISHER
Halcyon coromanda
BLACK-CAPPED
KINGFISHER
Halcyon pileata
KINGFISHERS

9. SUNDARBAN
THE WORLD’S LARGEST DELTA
RUDDY
KINGFISHER
Halcyon coromanda
BLACK-CAPPED
KINGFISHER
Halcyon pileata
WHITE-THROATED
KINGFISHER
Halcyon smyrnesis
KINGFISHERS

10. SUNDARBAN
THE WORLD’S LARGEST DELTA
BLACK-CAPPED
KINGFISHER
Halcyon pileata
WHITE-THROATED
KINGFISHER
Halcyon smyrnesis
COLLARED
KINGFISHER
Todiramphus chloris
KINGFISHERS

11. SUNDARBAN
THE WORLD’S LARGEST DELTA
KINGFISHERS
WHITE-THROATED
KINGFISHER
Halcyon smyrnesis
COLLARED
KINGFISHER
Todiramphus chloris
PIED
KINGFISHER
Ceryle ruids

12. COMMON KINGFISHER
Alcedo atthis
Sex: Similar. Upperparts greenish blue, ear
coverts orange; belly orange andthroat white.
Size: 16 cm.
Habitat: Near water bodies in village area,
mangrove forest.
Best season: Throughout the year.
Distribution: Throughout India.
IUCN status: Least concern, unknown.

13. Sex: Similar. Upperparts dark blue, ear coverts blue;
belly dark orange and throat white.
Size: 17 cm.
Habitat: Forest area near water bodies.
Best season: Monsoon, rarely seen.
Distribution: Northeast, East and Southwest part of the India.
IUCN status: Least concern, decreasing.
WHITE-EARED KINGFISHER
Alcedo meninting

14. Sex: Similar. Very colourful bird. Upperparts violet
blue. wing primaries black; rump blue and orange;
under parts orangish, throat white and crown
variable purple.
Size: 14 cm.
Habitat: Forest area near water bodies.
Best season: Unknown.
Distribution: Northeast, East and Southwest parts of the
India.
IUCN status: Least concern. decreasing
ORIENTAL DWARF KINGFISHER
Ceyx erithica

15. Sex: Similar. Rufous-orange upperparts with violet
gloss; turquoise blue vent and reddish bill.
Size: 25 cm.
Habitat: Water bodies in primary forests and mangroves.
Best season: Monsoon.
Distribution: Foothills of Easter Himalaya and North-
east and few parts of the Eastern India.
IUCN status: Least concern, decreasing.
BROWN-WINGED KINGFISHER
Pelargopsis amauropetra

16. STORK-BILLED KINGFISHER
Pelargopsis capensis
Sex: Similar. Upperparts bluish with pale blue mantle and
tail; head brown with pale yellow nape; underparts
yellowish; bill reddish with diffuse black at tip
Size: 35 cm.
Habitat: small lakes,near water bodies in village areas.
Best season: Winter.
Distribution: Widespread rare in the Northwest part of the
India.
IUCN status: Least concern, decreasing.

17. RUDDY KINGFISHER
Halcyon coromanda
Sex: Similar. Rufous-orange upperparts with violet
gloss; turquoise blue vent and reddish bill.
Size: 25 cm.
Habitat: Water bodies in primary forests and
mangroves.
Best season: Monsoon.
Distribution: Foothills of Easter Himalaya and North-east
and few parts of the Easter India.
IUCN status: Least concern, decreasing.

18. Size: 28 cm.
Sex: Similar. Upperparts dark bluish purple with black
head and white nape, black coverts; underparts
whitish with buff orange belly.
Habitat: Coastal wetlands and mangrove forests.
Best season: Winter.
Distribution: Mainly the coastal areas of India.
IUCN status: Least concern, decreasing.
BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER
Halcyon pileata

19. Sex: Similar. Upperparts bluish with shoulder
patch
and head chocolate brown: underparts, throat
and breast white; tail blue; bill reddish.
Size: 27-28 cm.
Habitat: Near all type of water bodies.
Best season: Throughout the year.
IUCN status: Least concern, increasing.
Distribution: Throughout India.
WHITETHROATED KINGFISHER
Halcyon smyrensis

20. Sex: Similar. Bluish green appearance, blue wing
and tail;underparts and neck, collar whitish in colour.
Size: 23-25 cm.
Habitat: Coastal wetlands and mangrove forests.
Best season: Monsoon.
Distribution: Eastern and Western parts of India.
IUCN status: Least concern, decreasing.
COLLARED KINGFISHER
Todiramphus chloris

21. Sex: Almost similar. Black and white stripe over the
upperparts with black crown and crest, white supercilium.
Male with two black bands on breast while female is
having one which is discontinuous sometimes.
Size: 25 cm.
Habitat: Tidal creeks, slow moving water bodies, lakes, rivers.
Best season: Throughout the year.
Distribution: Throughout India.
IUCN status: Least concern, unknown.
PIED KINGFISHER
Ceryle rudis

22. THANK YOU
BY RATUL_GHOSH