Bird Guide

Black-capped Kingfisher vs Woodland Kingfisher

Black-capped Kingfisher (Halcyon pileata)

Black-capped Kingfisher

Halcyon pileata

Medium84 gRiverine

This kingfisher is about 28 centimetres (11 in) long. The adult has purple-blue wings and back, black head and shoulders, white neck collar and throat, and rufous underparts. The large bill and legs are bright red. In flight, large white patches or "mirrors" at the base of the primaries are visible on the blue and black wings. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are a duller version of the adult and show streaks on the throat. The call of this kingfisher is a cackling ki-ki-ki-ki-ki. Usually seen on coastal waters and especially in mangroves, it is easily disturbed.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Lakshmi Sharath · CC BY 2.0
Woodland Kingfisher (Halcyon senegalensis)

Woodland Kingfisher

Halcyon senegalensis

Medium73 gWoodland

This is a medium-sized kingfisher, 23 cm (9.1 in) in length. The adult has a bright blue back, wing panel and tail. Its head, neck and underparts are white, and its shoulders are black. The flight of the woodland kingfisher is rapid and direct. The large bill has a red upper mandible and black lower mandible. The legs and feet are dark grey. Some birds may have greyish heads, causing confusion with mangrove kingfisher.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Woodland Kingfisher
Recorded by Anne Ndung'u · Song · Kisumu, Kisumu County, Kenya · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Xavi Talleda · CC BY 2.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Black-capped Kingfisher and Woodland Kingfisher.