White-throated Kingfishers are characterized by their thick, reddish-orange bills, red legs, and dark chocolate-colored heads, bellies, and shoulders. They have a striking white patch on the throat and sometimes on the breast. Their wings and tail are a vivid blue with white patches on the primaries and black tips on the tail feathers. Males and females look alike, but juveniles are generally less colorful, with duller bills and less brown on the wings, and may have a shoulder mark with extensive blue edging. This species is the only South Asian kingfisher that is distinctly darker on the underside compared to the top. Adult White-throated Kingfishers weigh between 65.5 and 81 grams.