Kingfishers in East Africa: Pied, Malachite, Giant and Woodland Species Profile

Kingfishers are small to medium birds with big heads, short legs and dagger bills, and they are famous for dramatic dives. But not all of them eat fish. Many East African species hunt insects and lizards from a perch in the savanna or forest.

This profile is a broad overview of the family. For a Uganda-focused list, see kingfishers of Uganda.

This guide is part of our animals of Uganda and East Africa guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

Water Kingfishers

The pied kingfisher is black and white and hovers above water before plunging after fish, often in pairs. The giant kingfisher is the largest of the family, with a chestnut belly and a heavy bill, and it hunts from shaded perches along rivers. The malachite kingfisher is a tiny, brilliantly coloured bird with a red bill that sits low on reeds and papyrus. The half-collared kingfisher favours forest streams. Each species hunts in a slightly different way, so several can live along the same stretch of water.

Woodland Kingfishers

Woodland kingfishers, including the woodland kingfisher with its blue back and black eye stripe and the striped kingfisher with its streaked chest, are insect hunters. They sit on exposed branches in savanna and watch for grasshoppers, beetles and small lizards, then swoop down to the ground. The grey-headed kingfisher, a colourful species with a red bill, is common in woodland and gardens. Many woodland kingfishers move seasonally, arriving with the rains and leaving in the dry season.

Hunting and Behaviour

Kingfishers have excellent vision and adjust their dives to account for how water bends light. Fish are caught head first and killed by beating them on a branch before they are swallowed. Hovering is a specialty of the pied kingfisher. Territories are defended from prominent perches, and pairs often call to each other. The rattling cry of a pied or giant kingfisher is a common sound on boat trips.

Nesting and Social Life

Most species excavate a tunnel in a vertical earth bank, laying their eggs in a chamber at the end. Pied kingfishers often breed cooperatively, with young helpers feeding the next brood. Woodland species may use termite mounds or tree holes. Pairs form strong bonds and defend breeding territories, but many kingfishers are solitary in the non-breeding season.

Threats and Conservation

Kingfishers depend on clean water and intact banks. Pollution, sand mining, vegetation clearance and the draining of wetlands reduce habitat, and fishing nets can sometimes catch birds. Most species are not globally threatened, but local losses can be significant. Their presence is a good sign of healthy streams and lakes, and responsible boat operators keep a distance from nest banks.

Where to See Kingfishers

Boat trips are the best way. The Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth, the Nile below the falls at Murchison Falls and Lake Mburo boat trips all deliver multiple species in one outing. Papyrus at Mabamba is excellent for malachite kingfishers. Forest species can be found on the streams of Bwindi and Kibale.

Photography and Related Species

Photograph from a boat at water level for striking angles, and watch for the moment a bird turns before diving. Use burst mode and a fast shutter. See safari photography tips. Compare with the bee-eaters and rollers, which also hunt from perches.

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Related Tours, Guides and Resources

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• Uganda travel guide
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