Adult:
The chin, throat, chest, anterior belly, and wing edges are white. The head, sides of the flanks, lesser wing coverts, sides of the breast, flanks, belly, and undertail coverts are brownish-buff, with the wing coverts, belly, and undertail coverts being slightly paler. The median wing coverts are black. The shoulders, secondary feathers, and primary coverts are greenish-blue.
The primary feathers have pale black tips, the outer vanes of the basal part are sky blue, and the inner vanes of this part are white, forming a broad stripe on the wing. The back and lower back are light bright blue. The tail is blue on the upper surface and black on the underside.
Juvenile:
Similar to the adult, but generally paler in color. Eyes are brown. The beak is red, and the beak of juveniles is brown. Feet are bright red.
Measurements:
- Wings: 131-143 mm
- Tail: 78-93 mm
- Tarsus: 14-15 mm
- Beak: 55-63 mm
Distribution:
The Brown-headed Kingfisher ( Halcyon smyrnensis ) is distributed in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Southern China. In Vietnam, this species can be found throughout the regions from the plains to the mountains, at elevations not exceeding 1,000 meters.