Adult:
A small white stripe is present below the eye. The head, nape, sides of the head, and wing coverts are velvety black. A broad, slightly rufous white half-collar is present on the hind neck. The shoulders, back, rump, upper tail coverts, primary feathers, outer edges of the secondary feathers, and tertiary feathers are iridescent dark blue-green. The upper surface of the tail is dark blue-green, while the underside is black.
The primary feathers have black tips, the outer vane of the basal portion is pale grey-blue, and the inner vane of this portion is white, forming a broad white band on the wing. The chin and throat are white. The breast is white with a slight rufous tinge. The belly, flanks, and under tail coverts are bright yellow-rufous. Juveniles have barring on the foreneck, and the breast feathers are edged with black.
The eyes are dark brown. The beak is bright red. The legs are dark red.
Measurements:
Wing: 119 – 133 mm; Tail: 83 – 88 mm; Tarsus: 15 mm; Beak: 57 – 65 mm.
Distribution:
The Black-capped Kingfisher is distributed throughout Southeast Asia, from India north to Korea, the Ryukyu Islands (Japan), and south to Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, and several islands of the Philippines. In Vietnam, the Black-capped Kingfisher is found in most regions, but in smaller numbers than the Brown-winged Kingfisher.