Brown-winged Kingfisher

Pelargopsis amauroptera

Chunky large orangish kingfisher with an oversized head and a scarlet dagger of a bill. No other large kingfisher in its range has dark brown wings. Bright blue-green rump patch most obvious in flight. Restricted to coastal habitats such as mangroves and estuaries. Gives loud, fluid-sounding whistles as well as harsh grating rattles.

Identification

The brown-winged kingfisher (Pelargopsis amauroptera) is a species of bird in the subfamily Halcyoninae. It is found along the north and eastern coasts of the Bay of Bengal, occurring in the countries of Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand. In India, it has been mainly reported from the Sundarbans region but records from further south near Chilka exist. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical mangrove forests.

Taxonomy

Genus: Pelargopsis; Family: Alcedinidae; Order: Coraciiformes.

Scientific name
Pelargopsis amauroptera
Authority
(Pearson, JT, 1841)
Order
Coraciiformes
Family
Alcedinidae
Genus
Pelargopsis

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

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