It is a tiny, jewel-like kingfisher, characterized by a thin, dark blue crown, and an orange face with violet cheek streaks. This bird species thrives on lower vegetation levels in particular forests, thickets, but more commonly of woodlands. Unassuming, it stays motionless for an extended period before rapidly pursuing their prey. The … Read more
The Giant Kingfisher is endemic to the southern part of the Sahara Desert. Its binomial name, Megaceryle maxima, came from a Greek word meaning “great kingfisher.” Meanwhile, the term “maxima” is a Latin word that means “the largest.” Today, the Giant Kingfisher is considered as the largest kingfisher in the African continent … Read more
It is a smallish, jewel-like kingfisher, preferring nearly all habitats with water, such as rivers, lakes, lagoons, and rice paddies. It hunts by sitting motionless on a perch for extended periods, before diving to the water and catching its spotted prey. The call is characterized by a grating “tsik” often given while … Read more
It is a black-and-white kingfisher, with a shiny black bill and short, busky crest. Pairs or small groups are often observed perching together. It thrives in various waterside habitats, such from estuaries, lakes, and to mangroves. It is renowned for its fishing technique and regarded as the largest bird in the world … Read more
It is a small, elegant kingfisher known for its powder-blue flight and tail feathers, dark-eye band, barred brown, and creamy white color. Solitary bird or pairs occurs in savannas, woodland, and thornveld. It catches attention with its exuberant “trreeerr-trreeerr-trreeerr” and resonant “teep-tiii-rrrrr” calls. Read further to know more about the Stripped Kingfisher. … Read more
It has loud and distinct high-pitched call “tuuui,” succeeded by a halt and then a descending “trrrrrrrrrrrr.” Moreover, the small and colorful bird is quickly recognized through is bright blue back feathers, wings, and tails, accented by its black shoulders and white underpart. Despite its name, it is part of the non-fishing … Read more