There are over 80 species of kingfishers (Order Coraciiformes Family Alcedinidae) in the world found mainly in tropics. There are colourful birds, with prominent long powerful bills and short tails. These kingfishers occur in a range of habitats from open country to primary forests. Typically the kingfishers perch upright in an exposed position. Kingfishers which live near rivers and streams, are noted for catching fish and other aquatic creatures. However, the more land-living kingfishers rely on insects, and small reptiles for their food. Most of the kingfishers nest in holes in banks near water. Some of them, however, use hollows in trees or termite nests. The eggs, in all of them, are white. There are fourteen species of kingfishers in Malaysia. Eleven of these species occur in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, while two are found only in Peninsular Malaysia and one in Sabah and Sarawak.
Deep Blue Kingfisher
The Deep Blue Kingfisher which is about 15 cm long has bluish upperparts and rufous underparts. It ear coverts are blue. In peninsular Malaysia it is a resident of mangrove and the streams of forest and forest edge. In Sabah and Sarawak it is commonly found along streams in the lowland primary forest
Chestnut-Collared Kingfisher
This Kingfisher measuring about 23 cm has a green crown and a band of chestnut extending round the back of the neck. The male has deep blue wings and mantle, while the female has dark green mantle wings, spotted with buff. In peninsular Malaysia it frequents the lower storey of lowand and hill forests, near water. In Sabah and Sarawak it can be found in the primary forest.
Blacked-Backed Kingfisher
This kingfisher measuring about 13 cm long is generally rufous in colour, with a black forehead, a black mantle and a diagnostic blue patch on the side of the head. It frequents the lower storey of forest by streamsides, in valley bottoms in the lowlands and hills and from mangrove to montance forest.
Technical Details
Date of issue : 23.10.1993
Denomination : 30¢, RM 1.00
Stamp Size : 38.57mm x 28mm
Perforation : 14
Sheet Content : 50 stamps
Paper : Unwatermarked, phosphor coated
Printing Process : Lithography
Printer : Southern Colour Print New Zealand
Stamp Designer : PAC Advertising Comm. Sdn. Bhd.
First Day Cover : 20¢
Presentation Pack : RM 3.00