Half-collared Kingfisher - BirdForum Opus

Alcedo semitorquata

An adult male bird; Photo by glazzers
Location: Sabi River, South Africa

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

• Ethiopia

• 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.

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