Black-backed Kingfisher

Ceyx erithacus

This is a migrant in Singapore and was the star of early 2009, being photographed by everyone. I was lucky that it stayed long enough for me to grab many shots of it during my early year visit. In fact, I was able to see it almost immediately the seven days I went to the boardwalk at Lower Pierce Reservoir Park in Singapore. This one is a juvenile and there was another adult further along the trail, which I managed to get a shot of. You will note that this juvenile was in the process of moulting when I saw it, but it became more and more beautiful after I left. Let's hope it will return to the same spot next year - it certainly gave joy to very many!