Brown-hooded Kingfisher

The Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Halcyon albiventris, presents a striking figure with its rich brown head adorned with blackish streaks. This bird, approximately 22 cm in length, boasts a broad buffy collar that sits above a brownish-black mantle. Its wing coverts are primarily brownish-black, while the secondary flight feathers exhibit a vibrant turquoise. The rump is a brilliant azure-blue, creating a stark contrast with the white chin and tawny breast, which is marked with dark streaks. The belly is a soft buffy color. A red beak tipped with brown, carmine legs, and dark brown eyes complete the bird's vivid palette. Sexual dimorphism is evident, with the female displaying darker upperparts and more streaked underparts than the male. Juveniles are duller with scalloped whitish underparts.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Brown-hooded Kingfisher, look for the distinctive brown head with blackish streaks and the broad buffy collar. The turquoise secondary flight feathers and azure-blue rump are also key features. The red beak with a brown tip and carmine legs are notable, as is the bird's size, which is around 22 cm long. Females and juveniles have their own distinguishing characteristics, with females being darker and juveniles appearing duller with scalloped underparts.

Habitat

This kingfisher inhabits a variety of environments, including woodlands, grasslands with trees, scrublands, and forest edges. It is also comfortable in cultivated areas, parks, and gardens, and can adapt to suburban settings. While sometimes found near water, it is not strictly tied to aquatic habitats.

Distribution

The Brown-hooded Kingfisher is a resident of Sub-Saharan Africa, with its range extending from Gabon and Congo to South Africa and Eswatini. It is typically found at elevations below 1,800 meters.

Behaviour

This solitary or sometimes paired bird is known for its ground foraging habits. It has a diverse diet that includes insects, scorpions, reptiles, small birds, rodents, and fish. Remarkably, it has been observed consuming snakes and lizards up to 25 cm in length. Its breeding season spans from September to April, during which it nests in burrows along river banks or in gullies. Post-breeding, the family unit remains together for several weeks.

Song & Calls

The Brown-hooded Kingfisher's vocal repertoire includes a song that sounds like a "tiiiu" or a "ki-ti-ti-ti" trill, often accompanied by wing vibrations. When alarmed, it emits a sharp "cheerit."

Breeding

Breeding occurs mainly between September and April. The kingfisher digs a burrow nest in a river bank, gully, or road cutting, where it raises its young. After the breeding season, the family stays together for a few weeks.

Similar Species

While there are no similar species mentioned, one should always consider the bird's size, coloration, and habitat when differentiating between species.

Diet and Feeding

The Brown-hooded Kingfisher feeds on a variety of prey, including insects, scorpions, reptiles, small birds, rodents, and fish. It is an adept hunter, capable of taking on prey such as snakes and lizards up to 25 cm long.

Conservation Status

The IUCN has classified the Brown-hooded Kingfisher as a species of Least Concern, thanks to its large range, stable population, and lack of significant threats.