Everything about the white-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), also commonly known as the white-breasted kingfisher, is beautiful. Although light brown is the dominant color, their fantastic coloration pattern makes the species one of the most astonishing birds you can see in Shenzhen.

The entire head and part of its body are covered by light brown feathers, except for the breast that is covered by beautiful white feathers, hence the name. Their large broad beak is reddish. Their wings are covered by a combination of brown, blue, white and black feathers, in a beautiful linear pattern; the dominant color is a light blue, with a distinctive white patch at the most distal part of the wings and also black tips. Their back and tail are also covered by strikingly bright blue feathers and their legs are short and red.

White-throated kingfishers are relatively large animals, measuring up to 28 centimeters, with an approximately 44-cm wingspan. Like other kingfishers, their beak is big, heavy and broad, with a pointy end that allows them to get their prey by diving straight to them. Their diet includes crustaceans, fish, reptiles, amphibians and even insects. It is very common to see them in the Shenzhen Bay area feeding on crabs.

Their nests are tunnels made in the ground where they lay up to six eggs. Little chicks will emerge from the eggs after about three weeks, ready for their first flight after another three weeks.

Their population is stable, as they seldom have predators due to their rapid flight. However, protecting their habitats is a must, so we can keep enjoying their presence in our city for many years to come.

2021.01.03

A white-throated kingfisher is perched on a rock at the Shenzhen Bay in Nanshan District.