White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis, home garden, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis, home garden, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

After laying its eggs in a hole in the wall of an embankment, the parents would be constantly on the watch for predators. I have seen them pecking at the head of a much larger ''Monitor Lizard' when the latter went close to the eggs. The parents feed the young ones till they are fit to fly. After about a week of flying they part ways. Even though it is called  a King-fisher this type exists by eating moths, dragonflies, grasshoppers etc.

'White-throated Kingfisher' - Halcyon smyrnensis, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

'White-throated King-fisher' - Halcyon smyrnensis, Kudagama, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

I spotted this juvenile on the banks of a small stream.

'White-throated Kingfisher' - Halcyon smyrnensis, Juvenile being fed by parents, Gampaha, Sri Lanka.

'White-throated King-fisher' -Halcyon smyrnensis, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Despite its name 'King-fisher' this bird subsists mainly on lizards, dragonflies and other small insects. It fishes from the fishponds in the garden.

Video:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKS2izRXVNs