Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Half-collared Kingfisher (Alcedo semitorquata)
Half-collared Kingfisher

Half-collared Kingfisher

Alcedo semitorquata

The half-collared kingfisher, Alcedo semitorquata, presents a striking figure with its vibrant blue upperparts and contrasting pale orange underparts. This medium-sized kingfisher measures approximately 18 cm in length and weighs between 35 to 40 grams. Its head is adorned with alternating bands of light and dark blue, while a distinctive creamy white stripe graces each side of its neck. The dark blue patches on the neck resemble a half collar, giving rise to its common name. The legs and feet of this bird are a vivid red. Males and females are similar in appearance, though the male boasts a completely black bill, while the female's bill is black with a touch of red at the base of the lower mandible.

Identification Tips

When identifying the half-collared kingfisher, look for the unique half collar of dark blue on the sides of the neck and the alternating blue bands across the crown. The male's entirely black bill can help distinguish it from the female, which has a partially red lower mandible.

Habitat

This kingfisher species is often found along streams, rivers, and larger bodies of water, where dense shoreline vegetation provides ample cover and hunting grounds.

Distribution

The half-collared kingfisher graces the southern and eastern regions of Africa with its presence.

Behaviour

While the half-collared kingfisher is known to vocalize when approaching its nest, the exact purpose of this behavior remains a mystery to us.

Diet and Feeding

Adept at fishing, the half-collared kingfisher feeds almost exclusively on fish, which it skillfully catches from its aquatic habitats.

Conservation status

The half-collared kingfisher is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that, for now, this species does not face any immediate threat of extinction.

Half-collared Kingfisher Sounds

β€Œ
Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Half-collared Kingfishers on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Kingfishers

A photo of a Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) , male

Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
Bryan C
Clean and easy to use
Really enjoying this app, it's clean and easy to use. I love the ease of being able to add those one-off birds without starting a whole checklist. I also like the social aspect, like the parts of my Facebook I like, without the ads and junk, just birds. Can't wait to see it become more populated.
Emcil24
A Friendly Place
I love using the bird app, I have a pretty good knowledge of birds. But I do have some gaps in it, so it’s nice to have a safe space to check on a sighting to confirm the species. It’s really enjoyable and I love the badges you can collect. It’s like a real life PokΓ©mon go.
Paul F
Very good database
Highly recommend. It great that this app shows you male Vs female variations when posting. Very good database I'm really impressed.
SuperOliviaGirl
Really great app
It’s easy to use and it’s fun to log the birds you notice on a walk or just in your garden. There’s a option to record the birds you see in a session which is really nice. Good excuse to stop for a while and just watch birds. I am also enjoying the information part where you can find out fact about birds from all over the world.
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
Erna M
I really like Birda
I really like Birda. I also use other birding apps and have Birda with E-bird going at the same time.
Robred 2
Fun way to add to your birdwatching experience
I enjoy watching birds in my backyard, but this app helped me really pay attention while on vacation this summer. It was fun to add new birds to my bird watching app.
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
Carl B
Helped me to identify more birds
Love this app and has helped me to identify more birds. The challenges and badges are great for keeping the motivation going to get out and keep birding.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright Β© 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.