Ruddy Kingfisher
Halcyon coromanda

PHOTO BY MYRON TAY

These birds are rare residents, uncommon winter visitors and passage migrants to Singapore. They are rarely seen over here due to their excellent camouflage and secretive ways. Some observations over 3 days (an hour or so each time): When it is hunting (typically in the early morning til noon and late afternoons), this solitary bird did not return to the same perch from which it took off, regardless of whether the hunt was successful or not. It can remain at the same perch for up to an hour waiting for the right moment to strike. It typically stood on the tree branches, though it was not adverse to coming down to a lower perch as pictured occasionally.
 
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4374781283_7d9efa8b69_b.jpg
 
Once, when a car drove up, it tried to mimic a nearby branch (as captured in the image below) and remained motionless for about two minutes.
 
http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv281/myrontay/IMG_9529a.jpg
 
I use Canon and this was shot without flash in the late afternoon sunlight with a 7D and an 500mm f4 lens.

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