This is the 46th 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 will be the African Pygmy-Kingfisher.
This stunningly beautiful bird is a delight to see. Twice a year, typically around March/April and September/October, the Pygmy-Kingfisher stops over in Pigeon Valley during its migration – it migrates from further north, near the Equator, in spring and returns in autumn. Often what you see is a quick dash of colour in front of you, or a splash as it dives into a birdbath. Much of the time it spends quietly on a branch, watching for insects to pounce on, and so it is easily missed.
Despite its name, it may seldom eat fish, having a distinct preference for such delicacies as grasshoppers, beetles and insects. It is not a reclusive creature, often appearing in people’s gardens, no doubt encouraged by the presence of a plunge pool to attract it. Indeed, it has the unfortunate habit of flying into windows and walls. This could of course kill it, but it often simply concusses it, and the birds then recover after a time and fly off.
ALSO READ: Exploring Pigeon Valley: The African Paradise-flycatcher
Why does it not breed in the reserve? The reason is lack of the right place – it needs a hole in a steep bank. I am hoping we will be able to create a bank like that at the lower reservoir, inside Pigeon Valley, so that one day it can become a breeding resident with perhaps another gem, the Little Bee-Eater. Its more commonly encountered relative, the Brown-hooded Kingfisher, does succeed to find breeding holes in the area.
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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