THIS is one of five species of kingfishers found in our area and is possibly the one that is most commonly seen.
It belongs to the sub-family Halcyoninae or tree Kingfishers. There are approximately 90 species of Kingfisher throughout the world.
Description
This kingfisher is about 23cm in length, with a weight of approximately 60g. As the name implies, it has a brown head with black/grey streaks. There is a broad buffy collar above the brownish-black mantle.
The main wing feathers are black with bright turquoise secondary feathers. It has a distinctive red beak with dark brown eyes. The rest of the body is mainly a tawny colour. Males and females are very similar and difficult to tell apart, although the female is usually darker and more tawny.
Distribution
It can be found across most parts of South Africa, with the exception of the drier western parts. It is also found elsewhere in Africa, south of the Sahara.
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Habitat
It enjoys having access to wetlands and dams and is usually found in woodland areas and can often be spotted along forest edges near water. While they do enjoy wetlands, they are not dependent on them.
Thanks to the many lush and treed gardens, it has adapted well to our urbanised environment in the Upper Highway and can often be spotted on trees in our parks or on telephone lines. Some are migrant and will move to the northern parts of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe after breeding
Breeding
It is monogamous and pairs for life and they nest in a well camouflaged hole in the ground. The tunnel for the nest is dug by both adults and is usually on a river bank or an eroded gully. In urban environments, they may nest in holes in brick walls. Four to five white eggs are laid and incubated by the female for approximately 14 days. Breeding usually takes place between September and April.
Diet
As with all kingfishers, it will dive into dams, rivers and wetlands in search of small fish. It will mainly forage for food on the ground and will eat a range of insects that includes locusts, beetles, millipedes and caterpillars. They have been known to eat small lizards and even chameleons. In most cases, the bird will catch its prey, fly away and feed on a tree. It will also take prey such as bees and wasps “on the wing”.
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Behaviour
This is a solitary bird and is seldom seen in pairs. It will often sit on a perch for an long period observing and waiting for an opportunity to seize prey. They are fast flyers and usually fly in straight lines but they can hover when waiting to dive.
Threats
There appears to be a healthy population and they are not considered threatened.
Interesting facts
Its beak is specially adapted so that it can hunt for aquatic species such as crabs and shrimps. It is believed that many young Kingfishers drown when learning to dive for fish!
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