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;[[:Category:Alcedo|Alcedo]] semitorquata | ;[[:Category:Alcedo|Alcedo]] semitorquata | ||
| − | [[Image:Half-collared_Kingfisher.jpg|thumb|550px|right|An adult male bird; Photo by glazzers <br/>Location: Sabi River, South Africa]] | + | [[Image:Half-collared_Kingfisher.jpg|thumb|550px|right|An adult male bird; Photo by {{user|glazzers|glazzers}} <br />Location: Sabi River, [[South Africa]] ]] |
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| + | Length 18 cm, mass 35-40 g. Bill black, back and rump brilliant blue. The throat and chin are white, and there is a whitish mark on the side of the neck; the breast and belly are orange. | ||
| + | Similar to the [[Shining-blue Kingfisher]], but the breast and upper parts are paler, and the latter has a rufous loral spot. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
Southern and eastern [[Africa]]. | Southern and eastern [[Africa]]. | ||
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*''A. s. tephria'' | *''A. s. tephria'' | ||
:*[[Angola]] to [[Tanzania]] and [[Mozambique]] | :*[[Angola]] to [[Tanzania]] and [[Mozambique]] | ||
| − | |||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | Near water. | + | Near water; usually narrow streams and rivers fringed by dense vegetation. |
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| − | + | Solitary or in pairs; generally inconspicuous. Flight is fast and direct. | |
| − | |||
| + | Diet is mainly fish; also eats crabs and insects. | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Alcedo+semitorquata}} | {{GSearch|Alcedo+semitorquata}} | ||
| − | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Alcedo | + | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Alcedo]] |
Revision as of 18:07, 19 April 2009
- Alcedo semitorquata
Identification
Length 18 cm, mass 35-40 g. Bill black, back and rump brilliant blue. The throat and chin are white, and there is a whitish mark on the side of the neck; the breast and belly are orange.
Similar to the Shining-blue Kingfisher, but the breast and upper parts are paler, and the latter has a rufous loral spot.
Distribution
Southern and eastern Africa.
Taxonomy
Alcedo semitorquata has three subspecies:[1]
- A. s. heuglini
- A. s. semitorquata
- Southern Mozambique and South Africa
- A. s. tephria
- Angola to Tanzania and Mozambique
Habitat
Near water; usually narrow streams and rivers fringed by dense vegetation.
Behaviour
Solitary or in pairs; generally inconspicuous. Flight is fast and direct.
Diet is mainly fish; also eats crabs and insects.
