Blue-Breasted Kingfisher.
Halcyon malimbicus.
More shy than the last species but by no means uncommon.
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Blue-Breasted Kingfisher. Halcyon malimbicus. More shy than the last species but by no means uncommon. |
| Recognition: Medium size. Crown grey, back and tail light-blue, wings blue and black. Most of underside is pale grey but the breast is sky blue, distinguishing this species. Bill with red upper and black lower mandibles. Feet red. |
| Distribution: Throughout the wooded parts of West Africa; well into savannah country near rivers and streams. |
| Habits: Usually solitary. Shy, in the sense that it keeps largely in shelter, nevertheless comes into gardens and reveals its presence with loud calling. Insectivorous, but said to catch fish; it certainly frequents streams. Nests in tree holes or excavates a hole in an old termite nest. |
| Call: A loud alarm call of "chack". The breeding season "song"a much repeated "Cheu-che, che, che, cheu-cheu". |
