Pied kingfishers (Ceryle rudis) are one of two species which occur in South Africa belonging to the family of Cerylid kingfishers. The Pied Kingfisher and Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima) are the only species which have crests and do not have any blue plumage!
It is common throughout sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia from Turkey to India to China. It is resident, and most birds do not migrate, other than short-distance seasonal movements. The Pied Kingfisher is estimated to be the world’s third most common kingfisher, and is a noisy bird, unmissable within its range. Unlike most of the other Kingfisher families, this family shows marked sexual colour dimorphism with the male of this species having a double breast band whilst the female has only one, incomplete breast band.
The pied kingfisher is reputed to be the world’s longest bird (bill to tail) that is capable of sustained hovering in still air and will hover more than any other kingfisher species. This hovering behaviour facilitates hunting over shallow water where perches are not freely available.
They can deal with prey without returning to a perch, and so can hunt over large water bodies or in estuaries that lack perches that are required by other kingfishers. Unlike some kingfishers, it is quite gregarious, and forms large roosts at night.
Pied kingfishers are monogamous and will nest in self-excavated tunnels in sandbanks.breeding season is February to April. Its nest is a hole excavated in a vertical mud bank about five feet above water. The nest tunnel is 4 to 5 feet deep and ends in a chamber. Several birds may nest in the same vicinity. The usual clutch is 3-6 white eggs. The pied kingfisher sometimes reproduces co-operatively, with young non-breeding birds from an earlier brood assisting parents or even unrelated older birds.
This post was originally syndicated from
Site : Moya Wa Tenga Safaris.
Feed : http://www.moyawatenga.co.za/feed/.
Tags: syndicated
