Size & diagnostic markings:- 25 Cm. Another short tailed Kingfisher, though also at 25 cm long, this bird do not appear bulky, instead with the looks of a medium size bird having a compact body. This is colorful bird with dark blue upper part and a beige under part, starting with a light rufous throat. The near rufous nuchal collar with receding light brown stating from the throat. Interesting would be the long black eye strip that reaches far behind to the nape. Green colored head and thick blue sub-moustachial stripe

Distribution :-  This is a bird from Sumatra and Borneo islands. This bird is often heard but hardly seen in Peninsula Malaysia

Habitats & preferences:- This another bird of the deep lowland forest preferring the canopy. The forest preferably has a stream or forest nearby. The birds has the habit if remaining still and quiet for long period of time

Yes, at 25 cm this Rufous-collared Kingfisher is the size of the Collared Kingfisher. Somehow with its short tail, the bird should look bulky but not and also smaller than the slim looking Collared Kingfisher. From the pictures and also the great distances these pictures were taken, it appears like those Dwarf Kingfisher but it is a medium size bird.

Another bird which is a resident but hardly seen but sometimes heard. This bird prefer upper storey and concealed among the foliages. very little is known about this bird other than its unique calls. The pictures were taken in Perdik, thick pristine forest. A very shy bird which is highly territorial, responding to birds calls. However its shyness and wary  of human presence, the bird hardly descend from its high perch. But it would come down to the lower storey for food where the place is deserted.

In Malaysia, where can the bird be found:- Though lowland in nature, I have seen this bird up in the mountains like Frasers Hills and Bukit Tinggi. The easy way to detect its presence would be to wait for its calls.

With Will would Wander