White-throated Kingfisher look-alikes
Halcyon smyrnensis
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Open the appSeveral birds can be mistaken for the White-throated Kingfisher. Compare the key differences below to confirm your sighting.
Birds to compare
Stork-billed Kingfisher
Pelargopsis capensis
Key differences
The Stork-billed Kingfisher is significantly larger, has a much larger, thicker, and entirely red bill, and lacks the white throat patch. Its head is typically olive-brown to greyish, not chestnut, and its underparts are buffy-orange.
Black-capped Kingfisher
Halcyon pileata
Key differences
The Black-capped Kingfisher has a distinctive black cap, a white collar, and a red bill with a blackish tip. Its underparts are rufous, and it lacks the extensive white throat of the White-throated Kingfisher. It is also more strictly associated with coastal and mangrove habitats.
Collared Kingfisher
Todiramphus chloris
Key differences
The Collared Kingfisher is smaller, has a blackish bill (often with a pale base), and a prominent white collar. Its underparts are entirely white, and its back is greenish-blue rather than turquoise-blue. It is primarily a coastal and mangrove species.
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