It’s all about the striped kingfisher this week – Bird of the week
These kingfishers are found solitary or in pairs, sometimes in groups of six birds.
A COMMON resident found from Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve northwards and absent from most of the South and West of Southern Africa.
Found in almost any woodland and savanna, but not in forests or any very dry acacia thorn veld. Their food preference is insects and small lizards.
These kingfishers are found solitary or in pairs, sometimes in groups of six birds. They perch on branches scanning the ground below.
Often bobs head, opening and closing wings while calling. This display is performed by pairs or groups making lots of noise.
Neighbouring birds answer the calls until many are calling together with a high pitched piercing cheer – cherrrrrrrr rising and falling to end with a trill.
Breeding takes place from September until February. The nest is a hole in a tree from one and a half to five metres above ground. A clutch of two to six white eggs are laid. Incubation and nestling periods are unrecorded.
The tribal name is Muningi and in Afrikaanse die gestreepte visvanger.
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