Woodland kingfisher

Introduction: Woodland kingfishers (Halcyon senegalensis) originate from Senegal and inhabit wooded savannahs with fresh water. They can be observed in well-developed wooded areas with tall riverine trees such as Acacia stands and mopane. Their presence in man-altered habitats is well documented. Low flying, direct, fast and usually in pairs, they are a strongly territorial species that perch and trill on tree tops, singing throughout the day.

Distribution: Northern Namibia extending to Ovamboland. Their range includes Epupa Falls and Rundu, Etosha National Park and the Caprivi and Okavango Delta.

Diet: Mainly insects such as cockroaches, butterflies, grasshoppers and locusts, dragonflies, cicadas, grubs, moths and ants.

Description: Often confused with species that are all-red or birds with almost all-red bills. They do however, have a very distinctive voice.

Breeding: Woodland kingfishers breed in trees with holes, often in large, solitary, leafy trees in open ground. Females lay between 2 and 4 eggs between November and March. Incubation periods are around 13 or 14 days.

Size: 24 cm.

Weight: 65g.