Collared Kingfisher

The Collared Kingfisher is unquestionably Singapore's most commonly sighted kingfisher. Of 24 cm in length, it is an unmistakable bird with bluish-green head, upper parts and wings, and a white collar adjoining white underparts. The white collar is a prominent division between the crown and back and is edged with a thin black line only visible at close quarters.

Photo: The presence of the Collared Kingfisher is unmistakable for its boisterous calls can be heard from afar. These photos were taken in NUS Kent Ridge campus.

Probably the most vocal of all kingfishers, with harsh, loud territorial calls typcially consisting of repeater clusters of 2-4 shrieks. Frequently issues a noisy shriek resembling a saw grinding against metal which sounds like "kree chah kree chah". It is an attractive bird with a loud voice that is best described as harsh loud maniacal laughter, it also has a gentler chup-kree call when at rest.

Also a common resident to be found in parks and gardens and near the seashore or close to reservoirs. Nests in tree holes or earth banks which it may select from a number of prospective sites and defends aggressively from any possible competitors. The sexes generally look alike although females overall appear more with green tones than blue as compared to the males.

They are fond of lizards, frogs, small snakes and fish. Perched on a suitable branch, the kingfishers regularly collect mantids, geckos and tadpoles from the ground as food.

source:

A guide to common birds of Singapore (2002)
Birds of Malaysia and Singapore (2010)