White throated kingfisher (Linnaeus) is widely distributed in Eurasia from Bulgaria, Turkey, West Asia east through the Indian subcontinent to the Philippines. White-throated kingfisher is a common species present in a variety of habitats, mostly open country in the plains with trees, wires or other perches. It can often be found well away from water where it feeds on a wide range of prey that includes small reptiles, amphibians, crabs, small rodents and even birds. It is seen commonly in the ground and campus on wires and perches.

White throated kingfisher (Linnaeus) is usually 28 cm in length. The adult has a bright blue back, wings and tail. Its head, shoulders, flanks and lower belly are chestnut, and the throat and breast are white. The large bill and legs are bright red. The flight of the white-throated kingfisher is rapid and direct, the short rounded wings whirring. In flight, large white patches are visible on the blue and black wings. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are a duller version of the adult.

The white-throated kingfisher begins breeding at the onset of the Monsoons. Males perch on prominent high posts in their territory and call in the early morning. The nest is a tunnel (50 cms long, but a nest with a 3 foot tunnel has been noted) in an earth bank.

In Marathi it is known as khandya. The call of this kingfisher is a chuckling chake-ake-ake-ake-ake. They are particularly noisy in the breeding season. In the 1800s these birds were hunted for their bright feathers that were used to adorn hats.