Pied Kingfisher
Ceryle rudis
The Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) is a common kingfisher found in 77 countries, weighing about 84 g. The pied kingfisher is a species of water kingfisher widely distributed across Africa and Asia.
About the Pied Kingfisher
The pied kingfisher is a species of water kingfisher widely distributed across Africa and Asia. Originally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, it has five recognised subspecies, and is the only member of the genus Ceryle. Its black and white plumage and crest, as well as its habit of hovering over clear lakes and rivers before diving for fish, make it distinctive. Males have a double band across the breast, while females have a single broken breast band. They are usually found in pairs or small family groups. When perched, they often bob their head and flick up their tail.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This is a medium-sized kingfisher, about 25 cm (9.8 in) long with a white with a black mask, a white supercilium and black breast bands. The crest is neat and the upperparts are barred in black. Several subspecies are recognized within the broad distribution. The nominate race is found in sub-Saharan Africa, extending into West Asia. The subspecies syriacus is a larger northern bird similar to the nominate subspecies (following Bergmann's rule). Subspecies leucomelanura is found from Afghanistan east into India, Thailand and Southeast Asia.
What the Pied Kingfisher sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Eritrea, Greece, Singapore, Italy.
When to see it
The Pied Kingfisher can be seen all year round, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Watch the Pied Kingfisher on live cams
Browse all 118 bird cams worldwide, live and seasonal, by region and species.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Pied Kingfisher?
- This is a medium-sized kingfisher, about 25 cm (9.8 in) long with a white with a black mask, a white supercilium and black breast bands. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Pied Kingfisher?
- The Pied Kingfisher is a medium sized bird weighing about 84 g.
- Where can you see a Pied Kingfisher?
- The Pied Kingfisher occurs in 77 countries, including India, South Africa, Israel, Kenya and Uganda.
- What does a Pied Kingfisher sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Pied Kingfisher on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Pied Kingfisher?
- The Pied Kingfisher is most easily confused with the Ringed Kingfisher, the Sacred Kingfisher and the Green Kingfisher.
- Is the Pied Kingfisher endangered?
- The Pied Kingfisher is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Pied Kingfisher for real
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