Pied Kingfisher

Description:

This approachable largish (25cm) bird is unmistakable, with its exclusively black-and-white plumage. Unlike some kingfishers, it is quite gregarious, and forms large roosts at night. It can be easily tamed.

Habitat:

River crossing, Kruger national park.

Notes:

The Pied Kingfisher is estimated to be the world's third commonest kingfisher. It is mainly a specialist fish-eater, although it will take crustaceans and large aquatic insects. It has evolved two unique strategies, shared by no other kingfishers. It usually hunts by hovering stationarily over the water and dives down bill first directly below to catch fish, but the Pied Kingfisher can also deal with prey without returning to a perch, and can, for example, catch a second fish, or eat small prey in flight. These adaptations mean that this kingfisher can hunt over the sea or in estuaries that lack the perches required by other kingfishers.