November marks the return of several migrant bird species, in particular the Woodland Kingfisher.
There is always friendly competition amongst staff to report who hears this kingfisher first, its call is very distinctive and needs no introduction. It is very vocal throughout the duration of its summer visit.
Woodland Kingfishers (Halcyon senegalensis).
Woodland Kingfishers are widely distributed south of the Sahara. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists the Woodland Kingfisher as Least Concern.
Compared to other kingfishers the Woodland Kingfisher is medium-sized, the back is bright blue, the underparts white, with black shoulders. The large bill is distinctly bi-coloured, the upper mandible being red, the lower mandible being black. It can happen that it is sometimes confused with the Mangrove Kingfisher. The dark stripe through the Woodland Kingfisher’s eye sets it apart from the Mangrove Kingfisher.
In its display the Woodland Kingfisher spreads it wings to reveal the white feather linings. It is highly territorial and will defend its territory vigorously.
Woodland Kingfishers don’t rely on fishing for their food, preferring to hunt from a perch, with diet made up of insects mainly. Nesting takes place in a hole in a tree, usually three eggs are laid, both parents raise the chicks which fledge after approximately five weeks. Breeding takes place between November and March.
Brown-hooded Kingfisher (Halcyon albiventris)
The Brown-hooded Kingfisher’s range overlaps with the Woodland Kingfisher and the two species are often found co-inhabiting, side by side.
It has a brownish streaked head, the upper chest is similarly brownie streaked. In flight the turquoise feathers are highly conspicuous.
Brown-hooded Kingfishers have a massively varied diet, including insects, small rodents, crabs, fish, small snakes, chameleons, juvenile birds, scorpions, geckos, and skinks.
Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima)
The Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima) is the largest kingfisher occurring in the Lowveld. Its range is south of the Sahara, except for the arid southwest.
Giant Kingfishers enjoy wooded areas alongside streams, rivers, dams, estuaries, lagoons, and lakes. Diet is fish, crabs, frogs, and crustaceans.
They are easily recognisable through their large size, a large black crest, large black bill, with white spotted back feathers on a black background. Sexes are different with the female having a rufous belly, while the male has a rufous chest Breeding occurs between September and January. The Giant Kingfisher is monogamous. A long horizontal tunnel in an earth bank is used as a suitable nest site. Both sexes dig the tunnel using their bills and feet. Three eggs are laid.
Giant Kingfishers are plentiful and have a stable population in South Africa.
Malachite Kingfisher (Corythornis cristatus)
Three to six eggs are laid, incubation is between 14 to 16 days.
Fledging occurs after approximately 40 days. Diet consists of frogs, insect larvae, insects, prawns, crabs, and fish.
Preferred habitat is freshwater streams, rivers, dams, lakes, swamps, marshes, estuaries, and mangrove forests. Human-made structures such as irrigation canals and large reservoirs can also provide a habitat for these birds.
Hunting is undertaken from a perch; the prey is caught and the kingfisher returns to the perch to feed.
Malachite Kingfishers are diurnal and outside of the breeding season are usually solitary. Territories are established and aggressively defended.
The Malachite Kingfisher population is stable, the IUCN listing this species as Least Concern.
Pied Kingfisher(Ceryle rudis)
The Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) is a water kingfisher, found across Africa and Asia. It is a medium size kingfisher, easily identified through its two-tone black and white plumage, a black crest, and a large black bill. Males have double bands on their chests, while females have a single chest band, often broken in the centre. Malachite Kingfishers inhabit clear lakes, rivers, and streams.
Pied Kingfishers tend to be very noisy, making it easy to detect them, they are considered one of the three most common kingfishers in the world.
This kingfisher feeds mostly on fish but will also feed on crustaceans, molluscs, and dragonfly larvae. It does not have to return to a perch to consume its meal, it can swallow its prey in flight. This allows the Pied Kingfisher to feed over large water bodies where perches are absent, which other kingfishers depend on.
Like other kingfishers, nesting takes place in a burrow excavated in an earthen bank. Three to six eggs are laid. Incubation is approximately 18 days. Fledging takes place after a further 21 days.
Interesting Kingfisher Facts:
- Flight is fast and direct, obtaining speeds of up to 50 KPH.
- Hovering above water when hunting is common practice, kingfishers are the biggest birds able to achieve this.
- Sight is excellent, with the ability to see into the water and adjust for refraction.
- The lightest kingfisher weighs approximately 10.4 grams, the Giant Kingfisher weighs around 355 grams.
- Plumage is generally bright coloured, blues and greens dominating.
- Bills are sharp and long, perfectly equipped for hunting prey.
- Legs are proportionately short for their bodies.
Facts researched on the Internet. Words by John Llewellyn. Kingfisher pictures courtesy of Viv Newell.