Least Concern

Length about 16–17 cm; wingspan 25 cm; weight around 30–40 g. A small, brilliantly colored kingfisher with bright blue upperparts, orange underparts, and a long, sharp black bill. The blue back glows iridescently in sunlight.

Resident across most of Europe, Asia, and North Africa, including the Indian subcontinent. Some northern populations migrate seasonally.

Winters in southern Asia and Africa, with local altitudinal movements in India during monsoons or colder months.

Mainly March to July in India, with possible variation by region. Pairs are monogamous and defend nesting territories.

Nests in burrows dug into riverbanks, streamsides, or sandy embankments. The tunnel leads to a nesting chamber where 5–7 glossy white eggs are laid. Both parents incubate and feed chicks.

Found near rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, mangroves, and paddy fields — anywhere with clear, slow-moving water and perches for hunting.

Feeds mainly on small fish, aquatic insects, tadpoles, and crustaceans. Hunts by diving headfirst from a perch into water, catching prey with its bill, and swallowing it whole after returning to the perch.