A Tale Of Two Species

There are more than two species of kingfisher in USM, but the two largest ones are the white-throated kingfisher and the stork-billed kingfisher. I managed to get a shot of both of them a few weeks back in similar (almost mirror-image) poses. The birds also look similar (both are large, have blue wings and a red bill).

The white-throated kingfisher has a brown head and body, bright blue wings and tail and a patch of white on its breast.

The stork-billed kingfisher is slightly larger and stockier than the white-throated kingfisher. It has a brown cap, orangey body with blue wings and a blue tail.

I think there are smaller kingfishers lurking about in the mangroves, but I can't quite get a clear shot of them.