31-5-2019 THORNTREE CAMP, ZAMBIA - BROWN HOODED KINGFISHER (Halcyon albiventris)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/2346-Halcyon-albiventris

31-5-2019 THORNTREE CAMP, ZAMBIA - BROWN HOODED KINGFISHER (Halcyon albiventris)

25-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - BROWN HOODED KINGFISHER (Halcyon albiventris)

The brown-hooded kingfisher (Halcyon albiventris) is a species of bird in the subfamily Halcyoninae, the tree kingfishers. It has a brown head and blackish and turquoise wings. It is found in Sub-Saharan Africa, living in woodland, scrubland, forest edges, and also suburban areas. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed it as being of least concern.

This species was described as Alcedo albiventris by Giovanni Antonio Scopoli in 1786. Four subspecies are recognised: Halcyon albiventris albiventris, H. a. orientalis, H. a. prentissgrayi and H. a. vociferans. Subspecies hylophila and erlangeri have also been described, but they are not considered distinct enough.

The brown-hooded kingfisher is about 22 cm (8.7 in) long. The head is brown, with blackish streaks. There is a broad buffy collar above the brownish-black mantle. The wing coverts are mostly brownish-black, and the secondary flight feathers are turquoise. The rump is azure-blue. The chin is white, the breast is tawny with some dark streaks, and the belly is buffy. The beak is red, tipped brown, the legs are carmine, and the eyes are dark brown. The female has dark brown upperparts, and its underparts are more streaked than the male. The juvenile bird is duller, with scalloped whitish underparts. The subspecies differ in shade and streaking.

This kingfisher is found in Sub-Saharan Africa, in Gabon, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Somalia, Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Eswatini. It occurs below 1,800 m (5,900 ft) in elevation, living in woodland, grassland with trees, scrubland, forest edge, and also cultivations, parks and gardens. It sometimes occurs near water, and can adapt to suburban habitats. Most populations do not migrate, but there is evidence of seasonal movements in some areas.

This kingfisher is generally seen alone or in pairs. It usually forages on the ground, mainly feeding on insects, and also eating scorpions, reptiles, small birds, rodents and fishes. Eating snakes and lizards as long as 25 cm (9.8 in) has been reported. The song, given while vibrating the wings, is a tiiiu or ki-ti-ti-ti trill, and a sharp cheerit is given when alarmed. The breeding season is mainly between September and April. A burrow nest is dug in a river bank, gully or road cutting. The family stays together for a few weeks after breeding.

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - BROWN HOODED KINGFISHER (Halcyon albiventris) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER

The Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Halcyon albiventris, presents a striking figure with its rich brown head adorned with blackish streaks. This bird, approximately 22 cm in length, boasts a broad buffy collar that sits above a brownish-black mantle. Its wing coverts are primarily brownish-black, while the secondary flight feathers exhibit a vibrant turquoise. The rump is a brilliant azure-blue, creating a stark contrast with the white chin and tawny breast, which is marked with dark streaks. The belly is a soft buffy color. A red beak tipped with brown, carmine legs, and dark brown eyes complete the bird's vivid palette. Sexual dimorphism is evident, with the female displaying darker upperparts and more streaked underparts than the male. Juveniles are duller with scalloped whitish underparts.

When identifying the Brown-hooded Kingfisher, look for the distinctive brown head with blackish streaks and the broad buffy collar. The turquoise secondary flight feathers and azure-blue rump are also key features. The red beak with a brown tip and carmine legs are notable, as is the bird's size, which is around 22 cm long. Females and juveniles have their own distinguishing characteristics, with females being darker and juveniles appearing duller with scalloped underparts.

This kingfisher inhabits a variety of environments, including woodlands, grasslands with trees, scrublands, and forest edges. It is also comfortable in cultivated areas, parks, and gardens, and can adapt to suburban settings. While sometimes found near water, it is not strictly tied to aquatic habitats.

The Brown-hooded Kingfisher is a resident of Sub-Saharan Africa, with its range extending from Gabon and Congo to South Africa and Eswatini. It is typically found at elevations below 1,800 meters.

This solitary or sometimes paired bird is known for its ground foraging habits. It has a diverse diet that includes insects, scorpions, reptiles, small birds, rodents, and fish. Remarkably, it has been observed consuming snakes and lizards up to 25 cm in length. Its breeding season spans from September to April, during which it nests in burrows along river banks or in gullies. Post-breeding, the family unit remains together for several weeks.

The Brown-hooded Kingfisher's vocal repertoire includes a song that sounds like a "tiiiu" or a "ki-ti-ti-ti" trill, often accompanied by wing vibrations. When alarmed, it emits a sharp "cheerit."

Breeding occurs mainly between September and April. The kingfisher digs a burrow nest in a river bank, gully, or road cutting, where it raises its young. After the breeding season, the family stays together for a few weeks.

The Brown-hooded Kingfisher feeds on a variety of prey, including insects, scorpions, reptiles, small birds, rodents, and fish. It is an adept hunter, capable of taking on prey such as snakes and lizards up to 25 cm long.

The IUCN has classified the Brown-hooded Kingfisher as a species of Least Concern, thanks to its large range, stable population, and lack of significant threats.

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - BROWN HOODED KINGFISHER (Halcyon albiventris)

The Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Halcyon albiventris, presents a striking figure with its rich brown head adorned with blackish streaks. This bird, approximately 22 cm in length, boasts a broad buffy collar that sits above a brownish-black mantle. Its wing coverts are primarily brownish-black, while the secondary flight feathers exhibit a vibrant turquoise. The rump is a brilliant azure-blue, creating a stark contrast with the white chin and tawny breast, which is marked with dark streaks. The belly is a soft buffy color. A red beak tipped with brown, carmine legs, and dark brown eyes complete the bird's vivid palette. Sexual dimorphism is evident, with the female displaying darker upperparts and more streaked underparts than the male. Juveniles are duller with scalloped whitish underparts.

When identifying the Brown-hooded Kingfisher, look for the distinctive brown head with blackish streaks and the broad buffy collar. The turquoise secondary flight feathers and azure-blue rump are also key features. The red beak with a brown tip and carmine legs are notable, as is the bird's size, which is around 22 cm long. Females and juveniles have their own distinguishing characteristics, with females being darker and juveniles appearing duller with scalloped underparts.

This kingfisher inhabits a variety of environments, including woodlands, grasslands with trees, scrublands, and forest edges. It is also comfortable in cultivated areas, parks, and gardens, and can adapt to suburban settings. While sometimes found near water, it is not strictly tied to aquatic habitats.

The Brown-hooded Kingfisher is a resident of Sub-Saharan Africa, with its range extending from Gabon and Congo to South Africa and Eswatini. It is typically found at elevations below 1,800 meters.

This solitary or sometimes paired bird is known for its ground foraging habits. It has a diverse diet that includes insects, scorpions, reptiles, small birds, rodents, and fish. Remarkably, it has been observed consuming snakes and lizards up to 25 cm in length. Its breeding season spans from September to April, during which it nests in burrows along river banks or in gullies. Post-breeding, the family unit remains together for several weeks.

The Brown-hooded Kingfisher's vocal repertoire includes a song that sounds like a "tiiiu" or a "ki-ti-ti-ti" trill, often accompanied by wing vibrations. When alarmed, it emits a sharp "cheerit."

Breeding occurs mainly between September and April. The kingfisher digs a burrow nest in a river bank, gully, or road cutting, where it raises its young. After the breeding season, the family stays together for a few weeks.

The Brown-hooded Kingfisher feeds on a variety of prey, including insects, scorpions, reptiles, small birds, rodents, and fish. It is an adept hunter, capable of taking on prey such as snakes and lizards up to 25 cm long.

The IUCN has classified the Brown-hooded Kingfisher as a species of Least Concern, thanks to its large range, stable population, and lack of significant threats.