Woodland Kingfisher

Afrikaans name: Bosveldvisvanger

Photo © Gerrit de Vries - Fotolia.com

Halcyon senegalensis

The Woodland Kingfisher is a beautiful bird and, as its name suggests, it is normally found away from water.

It is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa but in South Africa it is restricted to the north-eastern region. They are common in Kruger National Park during summer.

They nest in South Africa while they are here. The nest of the Woodland Kingfisher is either a natural hole in a tree or one that has been abandoned by a Barbet or Woodpecker. Up to 4 eggs are laid and they are cared for by both parents.

Woodland Kingfishers feed off a wide variety of insects, reptiles, small birds and other items. They hunt from a perch and keep a lookout for food items on the ground around them.

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 122

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 162

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 170

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 69

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 374

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 250

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 258

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 377

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 285

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 250

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 272

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 178

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 250

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 124

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 61

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 46

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 144

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 76

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 128

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 99

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 93

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 161

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 99

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 171

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List of South African Birds