wood kingfishers

Scientific classification

Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Coraciiformes
Family:Halcyonidae
Genus:Halcyon
Species:H. senegalensis

This is a medium-sized kingfisher, 20-23 cm in length. The adult has a bright blue back, wing panel and tail. Its head, neck and underparts are white, and its shoulders are black. The flight of the Woodland Kingfisher is rapid and direct. The large bill has a red upper mandible and black lower mandible. The legs are bright red. Some birds may have greyish heads, causing confusion with Mangrove Kingfisher.

The Woodland Kingfisher is aggressively territorial, attacking intruders including humans. It has a striking display in which the wings are spread to show the white linings.

It hunts from an exposed perch, often on a dead branch of a tree, or perches quietly in semi-shade while seeking food. The prey is mainly a wide variety of large insects, but also other arthropods, snakes, fish and frogs.

The nest is a tree hole excavated by a woodpecker or barbet. A single clutch of three round white eggs is typical.