India GO
Bird · Megaceryle lugubris
Crested kingfisher
IUCN LC · Least concern
A big black-and-white kingfisher of clear Himalayan rivers, with a shaggy crest and no colour at all, just barring and speckles.
How to recognise it
Much larger than the pied kingfisher, and does not hover as much; sits on a boulder or a dead branch over fast water for long spells.
Where to see it
Dehradun
Found only along clean, fish-bearing mountain rivers, so its presence on a stretch of the Ganga says something about the water.
Maldevta (in season) · Sahastradhara (in season)
Rishikesh
Found only along clean, fish-bearing mountain rivers, so its presence on a stretch of the Ganga says something about the water.
Shivpuri (in season) · Goa Beach (in season) · Whitewater Rafting (in season)