Blue-breasted Kingfisher

Overview

The blue-breasted kingfisher (Halcyon malimbica) is a large tree kingfisher widely distributed across Equatorial Africa. It is essentially resident but retreats to wetter habitats from drier savanna areas during the dry season.

Identification

• A large kingfisher measuring 25 cm in length, with bright blue head, back, wing panel and tail, and white underparts separated by a blue breast band.
• Shoulders are black, and the legs are bright red.
• The large bill features a red upper mandible and a black lower mandible.
• Flight is rapid and direct, and the species is noisy, producing a whistled call described as pu-pu-pu-pu-ku-ku-ku-ku.

Habitat

This species inhabits a variety of well-wooded areas across Equatorial Africa. It retreats from drier savanna regions to wetter habitats during the dry season. Subspecies are found in riverine woodlands and on islands including Bioko and Príncipe.

Diet

The bird perches quietly in deep shade whilst hunting large insects, arthropods, fish and frogs. It will also consume the fruit of the Oil Palm.

Did you know?

The species nests by excavating a hole in a tree termite nest, typically laying a clutch of two round white eggs.