Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Black-capped Kingfisher
Halcyon pileata
Black-capped Kingfisher (Halcyon pileata) — Kingfishers & Rollers of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 11 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Black-capped Kingfisher (Halcyon pileata) is a member of the Alcedinidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 84 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Coraciiformes
- Family Alcedinidae Kingfishers
- Genus Halcyon
- Species pileata
Quick facts
- Weight
- 84 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black-capped Kingfisher is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of rivers and riverside habitats, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Black-capped Kingfisher is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Black-capped Kingfisher (Halcyon pileata) belongs to the Alcedinidae family of the order Coraciiformes. It occurs naturally across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR India through Myanmar and China to Korean Pen.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 84 g, with a wing length of about 12.4 cm and a tail of around 8 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 3.1 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black-capped Kingfisher?
The Black-capped Kingfisher is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 84 g.
Where does the Black-capped Kingfisher live?
The Black-capped Kingfisher is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR India through Myanmar and China to Korean Pen, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Black-capped Kingfisher belong to?
The Black-capped Kingfisher (Halcyon pileata) belongs to the Alcedinidae family, in the order Coraciiformes.
What does the Black-capped Kingfisher eat?
The Black-capped Kingfisher is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Black-capped Kingfisher migrate?
The Black-capped Kingfisher is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Black-capped Kingfisher endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Black-capped Kingfisher make?
1 real field recording of the Black-capped Kingfisher — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Black-capped Kingfisher's range?
The Black-capped Kingfisher has a mapped global range of about 3.1 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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