Shhh don’t make so much noise!

A Stork-billed Kingfisher is annoyed 

“I’m trying to catch my 4th breakfast, so keep it down, the fish get spooked by loud noises. If you stay quiet and perch on a branch like I do, it’s pretty easy to get them. You’d think that they’d spot my colourful plumage but they don’t. That’s a relief because I love my green back, blue wings and tail, buff underparts and neck, grey head and blood red bill - wouldn’t change a thing. It’s so awesome living here in Sri Lanka, there are so many lakes, rivers, and coastlines everywhere. Those are excellent hunting grounds and that’s why my species is thriving here!”

Fun Facts

“Did you know that I’m the largest kingfisher in Sri Lanka? I use my size, I’m 35 cm in length by the way, and weight very effectively - drop, grab, fly back to the branch, eat and repeat - the fish have no chance. My awesomeness and large bill are an unfair advantage, but you won’t find me complaining about that! I generally eat about 15 fish in a day. But don’t mistake me for a boring pescatarian, I love munching on frogs, crabs, rodents and young birds too. Variety is the spice of life my friend!”

Story of the Photo

Wilpattu National Park, with its abundant lakes, ponds and waterholes is pretty much the perfect habitat for Stork-billed Kingfishers. Visitors to the Mahoora Tented Safari Camp in Wilpattu always spot this silent stalker of fish when they go for a walk around the campsite. Dilum captured this image whilst on a safari in the Park.