Sporting a stunning snow-white plumage and a black and silver crown, the crested kingfisher is truly a sight to behold.
This unique bird is very distinctive, with a lot of people comparing its crown to a shaggy mohawk, we can see it too!
Kingfishers are often known for their vibrant colorful plumage, however, the crested kingfisher is more famous for its cool monochromatic look.
It makes them stand out amongst their cousins, yet blend into its arctic surroundings, hiding it in plain sight from predators.
The male and female of the species are similar in appearance, other than a difference in their breast color.
The male sports a bright orange plumage on its breast area whereas the female remains the same color as its crown.
Native to the mountains and foothills of South Asia, they can often be spotted near rivers hunting fish, crab, crayfish, and even frogs.
The crested kingfisher is larger than most of its kingfisher cousins, stretching up to 17 inches.
Their nesting habits are unlike other birds. They will dig a burrow into a vertical bank, usually nearby to the water, to put their eggs.
Both males and females will work together to dig up the nest using their bills and their feet.
Then the female will place 4-7 eggs in the nest that will be incubated by the female only.
