File:A Rare Stork Billed Kingfisher during Sunset (51102670733).jpg

A very large kingfisher, probably the biggest found in South India and much bigger than the commonly found White-Throated kingfisher. The Kingfisher is a resident of the subcontinent and found in a variety of wooded areas near waterbodies such as lakes, small rivers and possibly coastal areas. It is a quiet bird despite its size and thought to be quite territorial. We sighted it chasing away a White-Throated Kingfisher. The bird is thought to feed on fish, frogs, crabs, rodents and even small young birds.

There have been only a very few sightings of this bird in our state till date and an accidental sighting at a lake on the edge of the forest attracted a large group of birders to the location. We were lucky to have sighted it and I was very fortunate to get a great shot of the bird after waiting for more than hour. Just as we were leaving, the bird made its appearance. I wanted a clear shot, but the bird was just around for 30 seconds maybe.