Brown-hooded Kingfisher

The Brown-hooded Kingfisher is named for its soft brown head and nape, which contrast beautifully with its turquoise wings and red bill tipped with dark. It is most commonly seen in wooded areas near rivers, streams, or gardens, where tree cover offers both shade and nesting sites.

Grey-headed Kingfisher 

The Grey-headed Kingfisher has a pale grey head, chestnut belly, and dazzling blue wings, all set off by a bright red bill. It thrives in dry woodland, bushveld, and river valleys, typically far from open water. This species often perches on branches overlooking open ground, scanning for insects and small prey.

Malachite Kingfisher

The Malachite Kingfisher is a tiny jewel of a bird, with iridescent blue upperparts, vivid orange underparts, and a bright red bill. It inhabits reedy riverbanks, ponds, and wetlands, where it perches low over the water. Its shimmering colours and preference for lush, watery habitats make it one of Africa’s most admired and photographed kingfishers.

Pied Kingfisher

The Pied Kingfisher stands out with its bold black-and-white plumage and distinctive crest. Unlike the other species, it is closely tied to water and is almost always seen around rivers, dams, and lakes. Its preferred habitats provide the open water it needs for fishing and the reeds or banks where it rests between dives.

Woodland Kingfisher

The Woodland Kingfisher is one of Africa’s most striking birds, easily recognized by its bright turquoise-blue wings and back, white underparts, and vivid red bill. Despite its name, it’s not often found near water. Instead, it prefers open woodlands, savannas, and forest edges, where its brilliant plumage stands out against the greenery.

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