Pied Kingfisher

Afrikaans name: Bontvisvanger

A Pied Kingfisher looking for prey

Photo © Steven Herbert

Ceryle rudis

The Pied Kingfisher is a common sight on bodies of water across South Africa. It is actually a very common kingfisher in a number of parts of the world.

This kingfisher lives up to its name and will be found at almost any body of water where there is a supply of small fish. Besides fish it does eat invertebrates such as dragonflies, grasshoppers and other water life.

The Pied Kingfisher is usually seen perched on a stump or branch on, or near, water or hovering over it. When it sees suitable prey it dives in after it. It batters any fish that it catches on a branch before swallowing it head first.

When breeding they make a tunnel into a bank. The tunnel ends in a chamber where around 5 eggs are laid. Other Pied Kingfishers act as helpers during the breeding process.

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References and further reading

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 98

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 90

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Year Published: 1992 - Page: 54

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Year Published: - Page: 133

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

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 122

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Year Published: 2004 - Page: 182

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 411

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 373

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 369

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 256

The Coastal Guide of South Africa - Author: Jacana Media - Year Published: 2007 - Page: 98

List of South African Birds