Spotted Wood Kingfisher - Actenoides lindsayi

This beautiful kingfisher had eluded us ever since we came to the Philippines in 2010. In October of 2011, sightings of a Ruddy Kingfisher were reported at the Loyola Grand Villas - a place not far from where we live. It was while staking out for that kingfisher that we saw the Spotted Wood instead. A cooperative one at that! It was some sort of redemption from all the frustrations we experienced in looking for this bird. I was so glad that I wrote a "parable" about it. 

The Spotted Wood Kingfisher is endemic to the Philippines and can be found in Luzon, Panay and Negros islands. The male is more colorful than the female with bright aqua blue crown and cheek stripe. They prefer the forests staying mostly in the dark recesses.

Spotted Wood Kingfisher - Actenoides lindsayi - female
Loyola Grand Villa, Quezon City
October 17, 2011

Canon 5D Mk II, 500mm+1.4X (700mm)
ISO-2500, 1/80, f6.3

Spotted Wood Kingfisher - Actenoides lindsayi - male
La Mesa Ecopark, Quezon City
October 15, 2013

Canon 5D Mk III, 500mm+1.4X (700mm)
ISO-3200, 1/15, f7.1