Woodland Kingfisher

Common summer resident. Differs from [Mangrove Kingfisher] in having a red-and-black bill, whiter head and black patch from bill to ear coverts. Immature usually has all-red bill, sometimes with a black tip; then told from Mangrove Kingfisher by eye-stripe and blue (not greyish) crown. Male calls continuously after arrival and until breeding is finished, a loud ‘yimp-trrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr’, the last part drawn out and descending. Present Oct–Apr, occasionally later, in mixed bushveld and riverine or swamp-fringing woodland, singly or in pairs. Catches insects on the ground by still-hunting from a perch. Pairs greet each other with spread wings.