Portrait of a White-throated Kingfisher

The Philippine subspecies (gularis, endemic race) of this bird has a much smaller white throat than its cousins elsewhere in Asia.  At 10.5 inches length, it is a medium large kingfisher. It is very shy when approached on foot, but the ones perching near roads or trails can be tolerant of vehicles. I used my car as a blind to get reasonably close to this fellow along a trail at Subic rainforest.

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White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis, resident)

Habitat – Clearings, along large streams and rivers, and in open country.

Shooting Info – Subic rainforest, Zambales, Philippines, November 4, 2008, Canon 40D + EF 500 f4 L IS + Canon 1.4x TC II, 700 mm, f/5.6, ISO 800, 1/80 sec, manual expsoure in available light, bean bag.