Mangrove Kingfisher

The Mangrove Kingfisher, known scientifically as Halcyon senegaloides, presents a striking figure with its dark grey-brown head, black lores, and a distinctive narrow white line above the eye. The cheeks and sides of the neck are a matching brown-grey, while the grey breast and flanks exhibit a pattern of dense, irregular lines known as vermiculation. A notable black patch can be found under the wing, and the plumage shares similarities with that of the Woodland Kingfisher, featuring black and blue covert and flight feathers. The beak is a vibrant red, eyes are dark brown, and the legs are dark grey-brown. Juveniles are somewhat duller in appearance, with coarser vermiculations and a yellowish-buff wash on the breast, and their beaks are brown. Birds in the southern regions tend to have slightly longer wings and narrower beaks.

Identification Tips

When observing the Mangrove Kingfisher, look for the characteristic red beak and the narrow white line above the eye, which are key identification features. The vermiculated grey breast and flanks are also distinctive. In flight, the black and blue wing pattern is quite noticeable.

Habitat

The Mangrove Kingfisher is typically found in estuaries and mangrove habitats, as well as wooded shores, thornveld, forests, cultivated lands, parks, and gardens. During the breeding season, they move to woodlands and wooded rivers, which are generally farther inland, with the exception of the Zanzibar Archipelago where they breed locally.

Distribution

This species graces the eastern coast of Africa, ranging from Somalia down through Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and reaching into South Africa. It is known to occur within 20 km of the coast but can also be found inland along the Jubba and Zambezi rivers.

Behaviour

The Mangrove Kingfisher is a partial migrant, known for its diet consisting of fish, crabs, prawns, lizards, and insects. Its song is a raucous, accelerating series of "tchi" notes, and its breeding display is characterized by the spreading of its wings.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the Mangrove Kingfisher include a series of loud, accelerating "tchi" notes that can be heard during its breeding display.

Breeding

Breeding for the Mangrove Kingfisher has been recorded from October to January. They have been known to nest in tree holes and even in termite nests.

Similar Species

The Mangrove Kingfisher is similar in appearance to the Woodland Kingfisher (Halcyon senegalensis), but can be distinguished by its habitat preference and some subtle differences in plumage and morphology.

Diet and Feeding

This kingfisher's diet is varied, including fish, crabs, prawns, lizards, and insects, which it skillfully catches to sustain itself.

Conservation status

Despite some population decline due to habitat loss, the Mangrove Kingfisher is currently assessed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN, thanks to its large range and the relatively slow rate of decline. Juveniles have been noted to sometimes collide with human structures during migration.