The Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) is a resident of Sri Lanka and can be seen near clear water bodies. They are called කළපු පිළිහුඩුවා (Kalapu Pilihuduwa) in Sinhala. This water Kingfisher has the unique ability to hover around water and dive for prey vertically. They possess black and white plumage and a crest. Males have a double band across the breast while females have a single gorget that is often broken in the middle. They are usually found in pairs. When perching, they bob their head and flick up their tail. This kingfisher feeds mainly on fish but consumes large aquatic insects such as dragonfly larvae. They can deal with prey without returning to a perch, often swallowing small prey in flight, and so can hunt over large water bodies or in estuaries that lack perches that are required by other kingfishers. The breeding season is February to April. Its nest is a hole excavated in a vertical mud bank about five feet above water. The nest tunnel is 4 to 5 feet deep and ends in a chamber. Several birds may nest in the same vicinity. The usual clutch is 3–6 white eggs. These photos were taken at Matara Kirala kele and Gangei in Trincomalee.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 23:21:13 +0000
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