Pied Kingfisher
Ceryle rudis
Silhouette: Steven Traver · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderCoraciiformes (Rollers, Kingfishers, and Allies)
- FamilyAlcedinidae (Kingfishers)
- GenusCeryle
- SpeciesCeryle rudis (Pied Kingfisher)
About the Pied Kingfisher
The pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) is a species of water kingfisher widely distributed across Africa and Asia. Originally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, it has five recognised subspecies, and is the only member of the genus Ceryle. Its black-and white-plumage and crest, as well as its habit of hovering over clear lakes and rivers before diving for fish, make it distinctive. Males have a double band across the breast, while females have a single broken breast band. They are usually found in pairs or small family groups. When perched, they often bob their heads and flick up their tails.
The pied kingfisher was one of the many bird species originally described by Linnaeus in the landmark 1758 10th edition of his Systema Naturae, who noted that it lived in Persia and Egypt. He named it Alcedo rudis. The German naturalist Friedrich Boie erected the genus Ceryle in 1828. The name is from classical Greek kērulos, an unidentified and probably mythical bird mentioned by Aristotle and other authors. The specific epithet rudis is Latin for "wild" or "rude".
The pied kingfisher is the only member of the genus Ceryle. Molecular analysis shows it is an early offshoot... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Pied Kingfisher in Doi Inthanon National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Doi Inthanon National Park
White-throated Kingfisher
Halcyon smyrnensis
Blue-eared Kingfisher
Alcedo meninting
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthis
Black-capped Kingfisher
Halcyon pileata
Indochinese Roller
Coracias affinis
Asian Green Bee-eater
Merops orientalis
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater
Merops leschenaulti
Blue-bearded Bee-eater
Nyctyornis athertoni
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
Merops philippinus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.