River Kingfisher (A. taprobana)

Common name: River kingfisher; common kingfisher; Eurasian kingfisher

Scientific name: Alcedo atthis

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                         Phylum: Chordata
                                         Class: Aves
                                         Order: Coraciiformes
                                         Family: Alcedinidae
                                         Genus: Alcedo
                                         Species: A. atthis

Type of species: Indigenous

Distribution: The common kingfisher is widely distributed over Europe, Asia, and North Africa, mainly south of 60°N.

Habitat: The Eurasian kingfisher inhabits clear, slow-flowing streams and rivers, and lakes with well-vegetated banks. It prefers scrubs and bushes with overhanging bushes near shallow open water bodies. During the cold season, it becomes more coastal and feeds mainly near estuaries, harbors and rocky sea shores. In India, these birds are present by slow-flowing rivers and streams, mangrove creeks, and swamps.

Conservation status: Least concern

Sound recording: http://www.xeno-canto.org/153401

Distribution map:

Note 1: There are two sub-species of river kingfishers that are found in India(pictured below). One species ( a. taprobana (left)) is native and the other ( a. bengalensis (right)) is migratory.
Source: wikipedia            Note 2: Difference between male and female (native). Source: johnbettsphotography