There is no shortage of birds in this green country, but the colourful kingfisher draws special attention. This hunting bird is a common sight in the countryside. Mononesh Das writes about this brightly dressed bird.

The kingfisher is seen everywhere, by beels and ponds. In the bright light it sits silently on a bamboo twig or branch, gripping with its razor-sharp claws. The remarkable speed with which it hunts fish, frogs and insects catches everyone's eye, and the sight of it sitting on a branch to eat its catch is part of the familiar face of the countryside.

The kingfisher is a compact bird with a short tail, a large head and a pointed beak. To catch its prey it dips its head towards the water and plunges in. After seizing its prey, it beats it again and again with its beak to kill it, then tosses it upwards. Once sure the prey is dead, it swallows it and belches with satisfaction.

The kingfisher walks with a tiny tapping step on its short legs and calls with a chirping twitter. Its chicks call out with a whimpering cry, and the mother feeds them lovingly. Only those who have seen this can tell what boundless love flows from a mother's heart.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.