Pied Kingfisher
Ceryle rudis
All waters. Pied with stout black bill. Hovers over water before plunging.
Kingfishers
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Common resident. A large kingfisher but smaller than [Giant Kingfisher]. Entirely black and white, the sexes differing in their breast-bands: double in the male, single in the female. The call is a high-pitched twittering, often by two or more birds at the same time. Found in pairs or small family parties inland on rivers, lakes, streams, dams and at coastal lagoons, estuaries and shoreline rock pools. Habitually hovers over water while fishing, then plunge-dives to seize prey.
Quick Facts
Size
28-29 cm - M
Names
A: Bontvisvanger
Z: iHlabahlabane
Ss: Seinodi Se Setjhekeho
G: Graufischer
Bird Family
Fish- or insect-eating birds with short legs and long, dagger-like bills. The fish-eating species plunge-dive for their food from a perch or, in some cases, after hovering. Fish are beaten into immobility before being swallowed head-first. The insectivorous species hunt from a low branch, usually away from water, where they watch for and seize insects on the ground. They breed in holes in banks or trees. Immatures resemble adults but are duller.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Found in pairs or small family parties inland on rivers, lakes, streams, dams and at coastal lagoons, estuaries and shoreline rock pools.
