White-throated Kingfishers are widely distributed in Southeast Asia, but the only one you can see at a Zoo in the United States lives here in El Paso.

On your next visit to the Zoo be sure to visit the Asia Forest where you can see a variety of birds from Southeast Asia including a male White-throated Kingfisher named BB. He is now 20 years old and because he is so colorful finding him is not that difficult. When you visit the Aviary look up high in the trees to find him on a branch. He can also be spotted flying around the Aviary throughout the day.

In the wilds of Southeast Asia kingfishers eat a similar diet compared to kingfishers in the US like the Belted Kingfisher. Prey species include insects like grasshoppers and dragonflies, small fish, freshwater crabs, frogs, small rodents and even snakes and lizards. Typical of kingfishers around the world the White-throated Kingfisher will perch on a tree branch and then fly out over the water or the land surface to seize its prey.

We are not really sure why we have the only White-throated Kingfisher in a US Zoo. Most AZA accredited Zoos like our Zoo focus on rare and endangered species in hopes that having them can help prevent the species from going extinct. As a result when B.B. lives out his life here we probably will not have another one like him which is a good thing when you look at the big picture and the conservation goals of our Zoo.

Zoo Collections Supervisor Griselda Martinez said “I want to highlight the urgent need to conserve the White-throated Kingfisher, a species now highly threatened in the wild. Found across Asia, from the Sinai Peninsula to the Philippines. It thrives in a wide range of habitats, including forests, wetlands, and urban areas. A solitary animal, the White-throated Kingfisher is known for their striking blue and brown plumage and distinctive calls; this remarkable bird plays a crucial role in its ecosystem. In some cultures, it’s considered a symbol of peace and prosperity.

We invite you to support conservation efforts by donating to organizations like the El Paso Zoo, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), or the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which are dedicated to safeguarding endangered species and their habitats. Your contribution will help ensure these magnificent birds continue to thrive for generations to come.”

Rick LoBello, Education and Conservation Curator

Photos
Cover – Norsez Oh, Wikimedia Creative Commons
Feature – Birds of Gilgit-Baltistan, Wikimedia Creative Commons
Others – Rick LoBello