The Kingfisher: quite possibly the most appropriately named bird in the animal kingdom. Kingfishers are a family of diverse birds found in every continent except Antarctica, and they’ve evolved to conquer an array of ecosystems. There are over a hundred described species of kingfishers and for the most part, they all share a similar set of characteristics: vivid plumages, sharp beaks, and remarkable hunting skills. In this blog, we’ll explore the fascinating world of kingfishers, discovering their diverse species, unique behaviours, and the vital roles they play in our natural world.
The Malachite Kingfisher may be small, but they have a success rate of nearly 90% when it comes to catching their aquatic prey.
The Diverse Kingfisher Species
There are three subfamilies of Kingfishers;
1. Tree kingfishers make up the largest subfamily and there are over 70 species. They are most common in Asia and Australasia and are often found in tropical rainforests and open woodlands. These kingfishers don’t specialise in fish and instead, their diet is made up of small vertebrates and invertebrates. Many species of tree kingfishers and other kingfishers that eat primarily insects are brightly coloured, short-tailed, compact birds with long, pointed bills.
A prime example of a tree kingfisher in South Africa is the Woodland Kingfisher. These birds are seen and heard throughout Londolozi during the summer months.
2. River Kingfishers are mostly found in Africa, Asia and Australia. They mostly eat fish, but insects also fall into their diets and these birds are pros at catching flying insects in mid-air.
Slightly smaller than the Malachite Kingfisher, the violet-washed ear coverts are also diagnostic of the African Pygmy Kingfisher. Interestingly, 5 of the 10 local species of kingfishers don’t actively hunt at water sources, the Pygmy included. These birds mainly eat invertebrates and small vertebrates, captured away from water.
3. Water kingfishers are the smallest subfamily of kingfishers with only nine species, six of which are found in the Americas. These are all specialist fish-eating species, unlike many representatives of the other two subfamilies.
Kingfishers vary in size, from the African Dwarf which is about 10cm long while the Giant Kingfisher (seen above) reaches up to 45cm long. These impressive birds can dive underwater to catch prey, emerging with a mouthful of fish often bigger than their own head.
Unique Behaviours
Kingfishers exhibit remarkable and unique behaviours that set them apart from other bird species. Their striking behaviours are often shaped by their specialised hunting techniques and the environments they inhabit.
One of the most distinctive behaviours of kingfishers is their incredible fishing prowess. These birds are skilled hunters, and while there are many species of Kingfishers that don’t eat fish, those that do capture them with great precision. Kingfishers hover over water bodies, eyeing their prey, and then plunge headfirst into the water, often submerging completely to grasp their catch. Some species of kingfishers take this to the next level, like the Pied Kingfisher. This is the largest bird in the world that can hover in place. They beat their wings eight times a second and some species hover up to 10m above the water, high enough to be sure that they won’t be spotted by any would-be prey.
A Pied Kingfisher stares down toward the river below while hovering perfectly in one spot.
Kingfishers have very strong and adept muscles in their neck which they use to keep their head stabilized while searching for fish. Like many other predatory birds, they have very large eyes with a limited range of movements that give them an increased ability to pick out prey at a distance.
Kingfishers have an intuitive understanding of how water refracts light – taking that into consideration as they dive down at full speed.
Their beaks are shaped like needles and slide into the water with ease. When they hit the water their prey has less than a second to react. In order to keep track of where their prey is, their eyes have a third translucent eyelid called a nictitating membrane that protects their eyes from the water. This allows them to keep their eyes open while diving.
If their prey is too large, the Kingfisher will hit it from above first to stun it before swooping in for the kill. These birds will also smack their prey around if it’s struggling too much before swallowing them whole.
Vital Roles of Kingfishers in the Ecosystem
Kingfishers play a vital role in their ecosystems as apex predators and ecosystem engineers. Their remarkable hunting skills help regulate populations of small fish and aquatic invertebrates, preventing overpopulation that could disrupt the aquatic food web. Additionally, when kingfishers create burrows for nesting, they often dig tunnels that serve as shelters for other species, such as small mammals and amphibians, providing valuable habitat. These burrows can also influence soil composition and water filtration, impacting the overall health of their environments.
In the unique world of Kingfishers, they contribute not only to the balance of aquatic and woodland habitats but also to the broader health and stability of the ecosystems they live in.
Yes, kingfisher sightings are diverse but always joyous (except for the poor little creatures being whacked senseless before being devoured).
Robyn, fascinating blog about the kingfishers. They are beautifully colored birds with great skill at hunting. The pictures you have shown today are outstanding, thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Robyn, for this interesting article on Kingfishers. I love these birds! their ability to catch fish and small prey is amazing. I love watching the couple of Giant Kingfishers from the causeway, or the pied ones hovering above the water and the absolutely gorgeous colors of the Malachite Kingfisher, to mention just a few.
Wonderful photos!!
What an informative story on the Kingfishers thank you Robyn. Their plumage are absolutely stunning and they are such good hunters. We have the Woodlands Kingfisher here in Kranspoort and it breed last season in my neighbour’s yard. When the two chick’s hatched they came to my yard and I saw both of the chick’s and two days later I only saw one of the chick’s. The mother was feeding the one with insects and it was perched here on a wooden bar, which made it easy for me to take fotos. I have also seen the brown – hooded Kingfisher here. I am sure if I go near the dam I will see other Kingfishers that are here. They are good for the eco-system.
they are so cute and pretty…love them
The Kingfishers are beautiful and intriguing small birds and until I read your article, I had no idea that they also contribute to the ecosystem. I also didn’t know about the subspecies so thank you for including that information. If I had favorites to view whilst staying in Londolozi, they would be the Malachite and Giant Kingfishers, but truthfully, any of them are special.
That is an AWESOME collection of an amazing species!
I have been fortunate to visit Africa around twenty times and Londolozi provided three of my all time favourites . We parked up at the Causeway and waited for Kingfisher activity and were rewarded with a Giant Kingfisher diving and catching a fish , one of my all -time bucket list items.
(The other two being a caracal and a melanistic leopard)