At Londolozi we have at last had a proper change into the summer season this year. The cold icy mornings where blankets and hot water bottles were essentials a few months back, have changed to mild evenings and hot mornings where short sleeve shirts and pants are now the norm. The first real rains fell a couple of weeks ago and the stark soil is showing signs of new life. A certain magnetism controls the creatures, which are naturally drawn to the wilds of Londolozi and they continue to mesmerise us with their presence. A few lucky rangers and guests have had glimpses of impala lambs as the herds scurry around them, trying to hide them from plain sight; Wahlbergs eagles are nesting and the prepossessing wildflowers are spreading their petals like a butterfly in its chrysalis, waiting for the opportune moment to show itself to the world.
Along with all these exciting changes, the appearance of the summer months also means the arrival of a bird that truly makes my heart skip a beat or two…
A little while ago we drove out of the camp and were lucky enough to see a beautiful leopard as she walked through the bush, searching for unsuspecting prey to satisfy her hunger when all of a sudden, we heard an all too familiar call. My excitement reached boiling point when I realised that one of the most gorgeous birds at Londolozi had made its long awaited appearance. We drove off, leaving the leopardess to make a much needed kill but now we were in pursuit of a different quarry.
The woodland kingfisher is easily recognisable by its flashy blue feathers and distinctive red and black beak.
What we were seeking was a bird with electric blue feathers on its back, wings and tail and a pearl white belly. We drove around looking skywards, searching and hoping. Eventually our diligent gazes, which attempted to penetrate through the thickest of trees, rewarded us with the best and most eagerly awaited sighting of the day. The Woodland Kingfisher!
Don’t get me wrong, a leopard is something that people come from all over the world to see and one of my favourite sighings, however, sometimes the smaller animals or birds can be the things to completely capture your attention and keep you enraptured.
The arrival of this beautiful bird signals the beginning of the warm summer months
A lush green background that is typical of the bush in summer after the first rains. It is during this time that you will be able to see the woodlands kingfisher in the bushveld in and around Londolozi
Everyone in the vehicle stared at the mesmerising colours of the bird as it sat on the branch of a tree, belting out its distinctive, trilling call. We found ourselves fixated on the little bird and its meticulous calling process for about five minutes. The males do this to announce their territory and will sit on a very similar perching spot just waiting for unsuspecting insects to crawl or fly by, which they’ll then swoop down on and catch. Contrary to its name, the Woodland Kingfisher doesn’t fish for its food, although some species of Kingfishers do.
Perfect timing: the kingfisher begins to devour its prize meal.
After a little while, the bird flew away but it left everyone quiet and a distinctive feeling of peace had settled over the vehicle. Sightings like these really make me appreciate the moments that we have in the bush. Sometimes its best to just relax and let nature do what it does best; the result being that it leaves everyone in awe.
It is not always lions and leopards that grab our attention in the bush – the woodlands kingfisher is just one more reason why there’s so much to love about the big and small wildlife that we are so lucky to encounter at Londolozi
The arrival of the Woodland Kingfisher at Londolozi, from the Northern parts of Africa, signifies the summer months and new life. This bird to me is the epitome of the most beautiful season in the South African bush. Bright colours abound and a cacophony of bird calls can be heard wherever one goes and newborns feed on the fresh green grass and sprouts, whilst trying to avoid the prowling predators. The summer season is indeed amazing and it all goes hand-in-hand with the arrival of one of my favourite species of bird, the Woodland Kingfisher.
Written by Werner Breedt, Londolozi Ranger
That is a spectacularly beautiful bird Werner! I wasn’t able to see the Woodlands Kingfisher when I was there in Sept. 2013 — too early for its arrival at Londolozi, with very cold mornings still. Thank you for the great blog and stunning pictures.
Thank you Jill!
Well come and visit us now! Sure you will be able to see one ! They are beautiful and every second spent with them is so worthwhile!
That would be fantastic Werner! I’m hoping to be back there at Londolozi one day soon! It would be great seeing all the beautiful birds, including the Woodland Kingfisher.
I had never seen this incredible bird before. Thanks. The colors remind me of the Blue Jay, although the Woodland Kingfisher is a lighter sky blue. It is just beautiful.
Stunning pictures of a stunning bird.
What a sighting of a pretty bird
For me, the kingfishers are too not just birds!
Well, he died in the year 1926, I’ve forgot about it a little. But it doesn’t matter to me.
I found a kingfish in my apartment so I begin investigating about it. I’m from Africa as you’ll know in Africa when things like this happens they will condemn it calling it witch bird or been sent by evil one. After several investigation, my apartment is alway locked the windows are locked 24hours I do this to avoid mosquitoes not to get in coz I live close to bushy area (wood) I saw the bird flying inside one of the room I barely use, trying to find a way to escape, running through the window but this window are locked. Now the mystery has began, I get a basket and cage it. I now report to my family telling them how it happened. The bird in the basket I cover the hole and put it outside backyard of the house and went inside to monitor it through the window for several hours until I saw his look alike coming to the basket to rescue him/her then I realize it just a normal bird. Guess what, After reported to my family, my mom told me to kill it break his leg it a witch bird all sort of things she said. I keep explaining to her not what she think that this can’t be true, she instructed I take it to church meet the pastor to find out about the bird and gave me some prayer quote. I felt pity on this bird so beautiful blue wings red golden little long mouth. Not like I’m trying to be a disobedient son, I definitely not gonna kill this bird. How it get into my apartment I can’t explain this mystery. Before I could come up with the name kingfisher I had to search in google what the name of bird with blue wings color red mouth “kingfisher” came up on the search I went through the images I saw exactly this bird that is found inside my apartment. There are different kind of kingfisher but I saw exactly the type been captured by me inside the apartment. I kept it hostage, in my mind I said I won’t kill this bird despite my family warning. I said let me keep this bird at least two to three days with me. First night I put in some rice and garri the bird didn’t eat it, all it do was biting the basket trying to get escape. The second day I bring in bread to my greatest surprise the kingfisher ate it then I put in more bread it keep eating. It melt my heart I’ll set it free after three days.
Lesson: 1) Not everything is witch (spiritual)
Lesson: 2) Animal love (you can see his look alike trying to help rescue)
Lesson: 3) Nature.