Mother nature never runs out of ideas for her precious creatures. When we think we have seen the best of her masterwork, the greatest mother of all kinds surprises us with another level of creativity. The
banded kingfisher (
Lacedo pulchella), a charming little bird looking like wearing a knitting beret, is surely one of those astonishing beings.
Source: Christoph Moning, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
It is a tree kingfisher found in lowland tropical forests of Southeast Asia countries: Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, and Brunei. Sadly, it is recorded as extinct in Singapore.
Source: Markus Lilje, Poring Hot Springs, Sabah, Malaysia
This kingfisher is brilliantly colorful with a heavy crimson bill and a large puffy head. The male is bright blue with an orange face, white chin, light orange breast, and black-and-blue banded wings and tail. The female is striped like a tiger, with orange and black patterning across her entire body.
Source: Wolfe R, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Source: Ngoc Sam Thuong Dang, Tan Phu Forest Enterprise, Dong Nai, Vietnam
The banded kingfisher perches quietly and absolutely motionless at various levels of the forest, usually mid-height to low, where it can be difficult to detect.
Source: pt_son
Even though it is called kingfisher, this bird hunts large insects and occasionally small lizards taken in the trees most of the time but sometimes from the ground instead of being an expert in fishing. Hence, they don't need to habitat near pools, lakes, or streams like other kingfisher species.
Source: Kaeng Krachan NP, Phetchaburi, Thailand
When communicating, one gives away its presence with a long haunting whistle "wheeooo" followed by a series of mellow whistles "chiwiu" as if mourning. If you can imitate their calls, they won't be able to tell the difference and will answer.
Source: Saravanan Krishnamurthy, Sabah, Malaysia
Source: Christoph Moning, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
A couple builds their nest in a hole in a soft tree trunk, which is usually rotten. Ornithologists barely know about their mating and breeding behaviors since they are good at blurring with the environment.
Source: wildlife.adventure
Though this species is uncommon, its population is stable. IUCN Red List marks this bird as Least Concern.
Source: Phil Chaon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
Source: Lars Petersson, Gunung Panti RF, Johor, Malaysia
This lovely feather guy is really similar to a knitted toy. If it catches your eye, please hit the like-share button and leave a comment in the box below! For more exciting birdwatching via media features, please check out our
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