Halcyon senegalensis
The Woodland Kingfisher is a bird of tall, open woodlands and savannas (as well as suburban gardens and parks), and despite a preference for wooded river courses does not follow an aquatic diet at all. Instead, they feed primarily on insects, especially grasshoppers, though they have been recorded taking small reptiles and chicks from Red-billed Quelea nests. Adults weigh between 55 and 80g and measure up to 24cm from the tip of the beak to the tip of the tail.
Woodland Kingfishers migrate to South Africa (North West Province, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and northern Kwazulu-Natal) to breed here in summer, arriving from September and departing again by end of April. They are mostly seen singly or in pairs. Pairs defend their territories aggressively against others of their kind as well as other species of birds and even humans. They nest in holes in trees, often taken over from woodpeckers and barbets. Clutches normally contain 2-4 eggs and are incubated by both parents for around two weeks. Although the chicks leave the nest at about 3 weeks old, the parents continue to care for the young for as long as 5 weeks after they’ve fledged.
The Woodland Kingfisher occurs over much of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east and south to South Africa, at least for parts of the year, while they are resident in Africa’s equatorial regions throughout the year. The IUCN lists it as least concern.
The call of the Woodland Kingfisher is an unmissable part of the summer soundtrack in many of our favourite wild places, which must be why I’ve set it as the ringtone on my phone…
DeWetsWild 
beautiful colors from the kingfisher species
That is very true!
And welcome here!
oh so pretty… this is one of my most favorite of birds you have highlighted! ❤ ❤
I bet your mind was made up after listening to its call, Jane?
Yes, and I think it would be fun to hear your phone ring! Your tone must bring a lot of smiles 🙂
Really beautiful birds, Dries. Great captures. 🙂 Such a nice ringtone to have.
Thanks a lot, Sylvia!
Another very handsome birdd, even more colorful than the Cape Longclaw.
One of my favourites, Hien!
A beautiful bird! What is it about a blue bird that makes it seems so special?!
Must be the impression of lightening speed!
Beautiful color on both bird and beak.
janet
You should see them in flight, Janet. Brilliant flashes of colour!
Hulle laat my altyd glimlag
Vir my ook, Tina. Hul roep kalmeer my dadelik as ek dit hoor – die dat dit my luitoon op my foon is. Dan vloek ek nie die telebemarkers aan die ander kant van die lyn nie.
hehehehe oulik!
Beautiful bird Dries! Do you know where the SA visitors migrate to? Hope they stay around long enough for our visit next year…
Wow Maurice, what a way to sneak in some good news! When are you coming, and where will you be visiting?
I’m afraid all my literature only states that they migrate from “equatorial Africa”, Maurice, without giving specific locations.
We’re in the process of planning a visit in April – WA school holidays start when SA’s finishes. Itinerary is still open, although we’d like to plan some walking elements in it. A few years back our daughter Zuza was too young to participate in the treks offered in Imfolozi, but is old enough now to do something similar in Kruger maybe – your reports on the wilderness trails were tantalising!
That is brilliant news, Maurice!
We can’t wait, but still have to sort a few things out before the ‘all clear’. We’ll keep you posted 🙂
Hi guys. I have the occasional Woodland Kingfisher visiting my garden where they eat dragonflies and tadpoles and tiny frogs!
You are very lucky, Kim! We hear and see them here in Pretoria as well, but not often enough.
Ek is mal oor sy roep, want dan weet ek lente en somer kom! Pragtige foto’s,Dries.
As ek hom hoor roep dink ek onmiddelik aan Shingwedzi, Dina!
Daardie gevoel kan mens nie beskryf nie…piet-my-vrou en vleiloerie se borrellende roep, het dieselfde uitwerking op my…tyd dat ek weer bos toe gaan, Dries!
Dis altyd tyd om weer bos toe te gaan, is dit nie, Dina!?
Beslis…gaan volgende week Kgalagadi toe!
Gelukkige jy! Geniet dit terdeë, Dina. Ons sien uit na die fotos!
Very beautiful bird, and it reminds of ours kingfisher we have here in Sweden, but your is much bigger. Indeed they have a beautiful sound, I understand why you set it as your ringtone! 🙂
Glad to know that you agree, John!
Such beautiful blues, de Wets. I love kingfishers but the are not that colorful here. Great shots.
Thanks a lot, Jane! They’re such a diverse family, and they all have something special about them.
Daardie laaste foto is ‘n kunswerk.
Baie dankie, Tannie Frannie – dis baie gaaf van jou!
Such a beautiful bird.
One of our favourites, Lois!
Another lovely bird! And I love the blue coloration!
It really is eye-catching, especially in flight – I wish I could get a photo of one on the wing, but they are just too fast!
I keep on finding new kinds of kingfishers on different people’s blogs! We have a pretty one in New Zealand but I’m amazed there are so many different ones in various parts of the world. Perhaps this is the most beautiful I’ve seen … I love turquoise!
The Kingfishers are quite a diverse and widespread family – if Wikipedia is to be believed 114 species!
Welcome here. Liz!
Thank you, I enjoy visiting your site! Thanks also for the follow!
Definitely knows how to pose for a picture!
Not shy at all!
Gorgeous bird…great captures! 🙂
Thanks very much, H.J!
Nice PIC!!!
Thank you, and welcome here!
Pretty shade of blue!
These guys sure stand out in a green summer!
Such beautiful shades of blue!
And even more striking when in flight, Kathy!