The Woodland Kingfishers (Halcyon senegalensis) belongs to the tree kingfisher family.
Description
This is a medium-sized kingfisher, 20 – 24 cm in length and weighing between 54 and 81g.
The adult has a bright blue back, wing panel, and tail. Its head, neck, and underparts are white, and its shoulders are black. The large bill has a red upper mandible and a black lower mandible. The legs are bright red. Some birds may have greyish heads, causing confusion with the Mangrove Kingfisher.
However, the lores are dark, creating a dark stripe through the eye (the stripe does not extend through the eye in Mangrove Kingfisher), and the underwing, primaries, and secondaries (shorter, upper “arm” feathers) are black with white underwing coverts (there is a black carpal patch on the white coverts in Mangrove Kingfisher). The inner webs of the base of the flight feathers are white, creating an indistinct white wingbar (white is completely absent from the wings in Mangrove Kingfisher). The breast is white (tends to be much greyer in Mangrove Kingfisher).
The sexes look alike. Juveniles are duller than adults; they are narrowly barred on the sides of the underparts, and they have a dusky-brown bill.
Distribution
The Woodland Kingfisher is widely distributed in tropical Africa south of the Sahara and from Pretoria northwards.
This kingfisher is essentially resident within 8° of the equator, but northern and southern populations are migratory, moving into the equatorial zone in the dry season.
It is a common species of a variety of wooded habitats with some trees, especially Acacias, including around human habitation. Although it is a “kingfisher”, it prefers drier habitats in more traditional woodland and can be far from water. It is often solitary but can occur in small groups.
Woodland Kingfishers mostly migrate at night.
Call / Vocalization
The call of this noisy kingfisher is a loud trill.
Feeding Habits of Kingfishers
Woodland Kingfishers are not associated with fish or water. Its primary diet consists of terrestrial animals and large insects. Its main food sources are grasshoppers, beetles, and cicadas. According to Audubon Society, this species is well documented.
This bird is a hunter of ambushes. It sits motionless, scanning the ground for any signs of movement. It drops with precision and speed to catch the insect or small creature in its powerful bill. Then it returns to its perch. It will often beat its prey into submission or death before swallowing the whole animal. According to Cornell Lab of Ornithology, this species is well documented.
Woodland Kingfishers eat insects as well as small reptiles like geckos, skinks, and small rodents. It has been observed to catch fish, but this is extremely rare. The ability of the kingfisher to hunt effectively on land allows it to live in a wider variety of habitats than kingfishers that are more dependent on water.
Breeding / Nesting
Woodland Kingfishers migrate to Southern Africa from October to April to breed.
They breed from November to March in the Transvaal and from November to January in Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
During the breeding season, they are highly vocal and have a very striking display while calling with outspread wings to show the white linings.
The nest is a tree hole excavated by a woodpecker or barbet. They may also nest under the eaves of a house or in the old nest of Little Swifts. The average clutch consists of 2-4 glossy white eggs. These eggs are incubated for 13 – 14 days. Both parents raise the chicks jointly. The young fledge when they are 15 – 22 days old.
Preferred Habitat: Woodland Over Water
The Woodland Kingfisher, unlike many of its relatives, is not closely associated with rivers, lakes, or wetlands. It can thrive in semi-dry or dry environments, and does not depend on large amounts of water. It prefers areas with scattered trees, such as savannas and riverine forests. Acacia woodlands and open forest edges are also good choices. Water is not the most important factor, but rather the erches and nesting cavity.
The acacia tree and the mopane tree are particularly important to this bird, as they provide great vantage points from which to hunt as well as nesting cavities. Woodland Kingfishers perch on exposed, high branches to launch their hunting expeditions. Although it can often be seen near rivers and other water sources, the woodland kingfisher is not restricted to aquatic life.
The Woodland Kingfisher’s habitat preferences extend to environments that have been altered by humans. Woodland Kingfisher can be found in gardens, parks, agricultural land, urban areas, and even urban zones with enough tree cover. This species’ adaptability allows it to coexist more successfully with humans than other forest-dependent birds.
Behaviour
Woodland Kingfishers, despite their attractive appearance, are neither shy nor passive. They are aggressive and territorial, especially in the breeding season. Intruders such as other birds, mammals, or even humans will be defended from their nest if they get too close. These displays are often accompanied by loud vocalizations or threatening postures such as wing-spreading and direct flight charges.
The birds rarely form large groups outside of the breeding period. They are usually solitary or in loose groups. The birds’ flight is direct and swift, often low and punctuated with rapid, sharp wingbeats.
The call of the Woodland Kingfisher has become one of its most iconic behaviors. The vocalization is loud and piercing, beginning with a rising tone before descending into a series of rattling notes. The call can be repeated for several minutes, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. During breeding season, this call is often accompanied by visual displays. This includes wing-spreading, which reveals the underwing covers in white.
Human Interaction and Conservation Status
IUCN classifies the Woodland Kingfisher as a species with Low Concern. The wide distribution, stable population, and adaptability to human environments all contribute to the relatively secure conservation status of this species. This does not mean that the species is safe.
In certain areas, the destruction or urbanization of woodland habitats has led to a reduction in the number of nesting sites. It is of particular concern to remove old trees that often have cavities necessary for breeding. Climate change, pesticides, and habitat fragmentation may also have an impact on prey availability and breeding.
The Woodland Kingfisher is one of Africa’s most resilient bird species. The ability to adapt and exploit altered habitats, as well as its tolerance for human activity, gives it an advantage in a changing environment. The species will continue to thrive if ongoing efforts are made to protect native woodlands and large trees.
Conclusion
The Woodland Kingfisher shows that not all birds are the same. Although it is called a kingfisher, it does not fish regularly or rely on the water. It has instead carved a niche in Africa’s trees and savannas. It feeds on insects and snakes, breeds in tree cavities, and dazzles all with its call and color.
The story of the Woodland Kingfisher is full of adaptation, from its diet in dryland to its nesting habits to its ability to live both in wild and urban settings. Woodland Kingfisher is one of Africa’s most beautiful and complex species. Its beauty, resilience, and complexity will continue to be admired by birders and nature enthusiasts as they explore Africa’s diverse ecosystems.
Ref.. Uses material from Wikipedia.org … Additional information and photos added by Avianweb.
