White-breasted Kingfisher

n the 1800s these birds were hunted for their bright feathers that were used to adorn hats.It is the State bird of West Bengal.  .. .. easy, King Fisher -  a family, the Alcedinidae, of small to medium-sized, brightly colored birds in the order Coraciiformes.

 

The white-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) also known as the white-breasted kingfisher is a tree kingfisher, widely distributed in Asia from the Sinai east through the Indian subcontinent to China and Indonesia.  It can often be found well away from water where it feeds on a wide range of prey that includes small reptiles, amphibians, crabs, small rodents and even birds. During the breeding season they call loudly in the mornings from prominent perches including the tops of buildings in urban areas or on wires.  

Elsewhere, DIY chain Kingfisher (LSE: KGF) is best known in the UK as the owner of B&Q and Screwfix. The group’s share price has fallen by 35% from its pandemic peak in 2021.  Kingfisher also owns similar DIY groups in France and Poland. The stock did well during the pandemic as lockdown living left homeowners with spare cash and a desire to update their homes. Obviously that picture has reversed over the last year, as markets have priced in the risk of a recession. Surging cost inflation has put pressure on many household budgets.  Kingfisher’s stock slump was a logical response to this changing outlook, says market experts.  

Some of you may still be looking for - Kingfisher Calendar that featured  models in swimsuits published by the Indian conglomerate United Breweries Group for 19 years from 2003 to 2021.    Atul Kasbekarr was the photographer behind these Kingfisher Calendar shoots.  He was also the honorary chairman of the Photographer's Guild of India.  

With regards – S. Sampathkumar
14.12.2022