Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Brown-hooded Kingfisher
The riches of Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve explained by Glenwood resident and chair of the Friends of Pigeon Valley.
This is the 87th article in an ongoing series that highlights the riches of Pigeon Valley, the urban nature reserve in the heart of Glenwood. The focus of this article is on the Brown-hooded Kingfisher.
So far I have written about Pygmy-Kingfishers and the Mangrover Kingfisher. Visitors to Pigeon Valley, though, are much more likely to encounter the Brown-hooded Kingfisher, which also visits and breeds in neighbouring suburbia. Its penetrating call is frequently heard, and the brilliant blue often catches one’s attention.
Its favourite area is overlooking the grasslands, but it is often in the forest area where there is a clearing. If you miss its presence, it may be because it stays still sometimes for long periods, until it sees a truly desirable prey. It may bob its head a couple of times.
ALSO READ: Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Little Bee-eater
Do not be confused by its name – most Brown-hooded Kingfishers do not rely on fish, but rather hawk a wide range of creatures such as beetles, grasshoppers and lizards. Like Pygmy-Kingfishers and Little Bee-eaters, these birds breed in nesting holes in banks, but they have also adapted to features like drainage holes.
They are thus more resilient in suburban areas but would also benefit if we can establish a bank in which they could make nesting holes, next to the new central walkway in Pigeon Valley.
Crispin Hemson chairs the Friends of Pigeon Valley, a group that undertakes clearing of alien plants, keeps records of bird and mammal sightings and alerts management to any problems.
The Friends have a monthly walk at 7.30am on the second Saturday of each month. Email: friendsofpigeonvalley1@gmail.com.
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