KINGFISHERS OF UTTAR PRADESH AND UTTRAKHAND -

There are five types of Kingfishers found in Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand . They are the Common Kingfisher , Stork Billed Kingfisher , Pied Kingfisher , White Throated Kingfisher and finally the Creasted Kingfisher. I have been fortunate enough to see all of them and also photograph them.

White Thoated Kingfisher -

The White Throated Kingfisher is the most commonly sighted. It can easily be seen in the populated city area also. It mostly feed on small lizards , frogs and insects and can be seen near thick vegetation , cultivation gardens , freshwater wetlands.

Common Kingfisher -
The Common Kingfisher as the name suggest is not seen commonly. The bird is small and an orange ear covet acts as an distinguishing feature. It is found near fresh water lakes and ponds sitting of the vegetation on the edges of such water bodies.

STORK BILLED KINGFISHER -
The Stork Billed Kingfisher inhabits mostly the forest areas and can be found near running water and lakes. It has an exceptionally long Red Bill with a brown cap along with an Orange Buff underpart and collar and blue upper part.

Pied Kingfisher - Pied Kingfisher as the name suggest is Black and White in colour. The best place to look for it is under or near Bridges. It prefers slow moving and fresh water.

Creasted Kingfisher - Created Kingfisher is often confused with the Pied Kingfisher. But there are two important point of distinction – It is much larger than the Pied and LACKS the Supercilium which the Pied has. It can be seen along the mountain rivers or at the rivers on the foot hill of the Himalayas