White Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)

June 3rd, 2010

White Collared Kingfisher

Last night I heard the helpers at home screeching my name. When ever someone calls me at home it’s only for three things. One is to take a picture, second is to fix the computer, and third is if there’s a wild bird in the house. Obviously it had to be the third one.

This White Collared Kingfisher or Tikarol in the dialect, is actually a common bird in Cebu and can be found in forests, marshes, mangroves and seashores. This one happened to be looking at our new baby fishes in the fish pond.

White Collared Kingfisher in aggressive stance

I couldn’t release the white collared kingfisher at night because it’s not that safe to do so. (I also wanted to get a good shot of it before releasing). This is not the first time I’ve encountered a Kingfisher as I’ve had the Variable Dwarf Kingfisher enter the house before.

White Collared Kingfisher in a calm state

Facts:

The White Collared Kingfisher is around 8-9 inches long from beak to tail. Though generally described as to be blue, it has a beautiful gradient color from green to blue. It perches on high branches gracefully gliding from tree to tree. It feeds on insects, lizards, and yes, fish.

This bird is called as the Kingfisher because it is best when it comes to fishing. The body and beak are well designed for aerodynamic air diving and the feathers are coated with a special oil to have an impermeable effect against water when taking flight after a quick dive for a fish.

Synonyms: Todirhamphus chloris, Collared Kingfisher

Of course this post won’t be complete with my already traditional Pic with the birdy.

Happy pic with the White Collared Kingfisher

serious moment with the White Collared Kingfisher

And most importantly, like any wild bird photoshoot that I’ve ever had, one must remember to set the bird free gently.

I guess I don’t need really long lenses after all.

Tikarol on the Ficus Tree before it flew away on its own.

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20 Comments

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Novell says on: June 3, 2010 at 5:47 pm

thats one lovely tamable birdie you have there.
lainee says on: June 3, 2010 at 7:56 pm

sometimes I doubt that you’re actually living in Cebu. where do you find these beautiful birds?! (though in these cases, they found you hehe)
but honestly, the only ones I’ve seen outside of cages or aviaries are the common brown and black ones.
Roch says on: June 3, 2010 at 8:16 pm

Agree!!! Very cute bird!!

I wonder when a beautiful bird like that can accidentally enter my home here.
The Photoblogger says on: June 3, 2010 at 9:09 pm

hehe, thanks novell, not exactly tamable but I just learned how to calm them down after handling several wild birds before.
The Photoblogger says on: June 3, 2010 at 9:11 pm

Hehe, brown ones = ‘gorion’ or Eurasion Tree sparrow. Black ones = Asian Glossy Starling yeah, actually it’s just that people don’t think twice about looking at a bird flying by. There are a lot of them in the mountains and often times in greener areas of the city.
The Photoblogger says on: June 3, 2010 at 9:12 pm

Hehe. when our country learns the importance of preserving our natural environments. Unfortunately more and more people are losing awareness of the beauty of nature. I hope to spread the advocacy of saving wild life from extinction.

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Paolo says on: June 4, 2010 at 11:45 am

Oh, jealous here. I want a bird like that. I think I’ll have one in 2020. haha.
BTW, I think your shot are awesome but my favorite in particular is the first one.
The Photoblogger says on: June 4, 2010 at 12:03 pm

Thanks Paolo. Actually these aren’t for pet keeping. But who knows, if they can domesticate it some day why not?
Nicholas Leong says on: June 7, 2010 at 5:29 pm

I don’t get birds flying into my house! Then again, I don’t encourage them to. Just outside my house will do
Monika izzykonto says on: June 8, 2010 at 2:49 am

bautyfull bird…nice photos
Ovel Inad says on: June 10, 2010 at 4:10 am

If what I ultimately have to offer is half as much as what you now have to offer, I’ll be able to consider it a job well done.
Charles Ravndal says on: June 11, 2010 at 6:22 am

That’s a beautiful bird. The way you’re handling the bird made me think that you might be some kind of a bird whisperer.
The Photoblogger says on: June 11, 2010 at 8:49 am

Thanks charles I do hope to make a bird care center someday, to treat wild birds in need.
Bird Lover says on: January 20, 2011 at 5:32 pm

Actually the collared kingfisher doesn’t eat fish,it eats big insects, worms, gecko,lizards and maybe small snakes. But its favourite food is the crab.By having a menu like that, it can go quite far from river, and other water source. These birds are mostly at the beach and mangroves.I have seen these gorgeous birds near my house and school.I really love their calls, because it sounds like laughing,and it is very loud!
queeniebee says on: February 3, 2011 at 9:02 am

Wow! What a beautiful bird! It seems that all I ever spot are little common gorion. I’m going to have to start paying closer attention!
I love your pictures with this bird–he seems to trust that you will be kind and gentle to him.
The Photoblogger says on: February 3, 2011 at 10:59 am

@queeniebee thanks! It helps to go bird watching as early as 7-8am
Nikita Hengbok says on: February 7, 2011 at 8:13 pm

Oh my!!! This is soooo cute!!!
lei cordero says on: May 22, 2011 at 4:16 pm

wooooot! super cute white collared king fisher! i wish to have one!