Pied Kingfisher

Pied Kingfisher
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Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Coraciiformes Family: Cerylidae Genus: Ceryle Species: rudis
Binomial name
Ceryle rudis

The Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis, is a kingfisher in the near passerine bird family Cerylidae, the water kingfishers. It is common throughout sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia from Turkey to China. It is resident, and most birds do not migrate, other than seasonal movements.

This is estimated to be the world's third commonest kingfisher, and is a noisy bird, unmissable within its range.

It is mainly a specialist fish-eater, although it will take crustaceans and large aquatic insects. It has evolved two unique strategies, shared by no other kingfishers. As well as hunting from a perch, it will seek fish by hovering prior to a dive, like an Osprey.

It can also deal with prey without returning to a perch, and can, for example, catch a second fish, or eat small prey in flight. These adaptations mean that this kingfisher can hunt over the sea or in estuaries that lack the perches required by other kingfishers.

This approachable largish (25cm) bird is unmistakable, with its exclusively black-and-white plumage. Unlike some kingfishers, it is quite gregarious, and forms large roosts at night. It can be easily tamed.

Its nest is a hole in a bank, on its own or in a colony, where it lays 3-6 white eggs. As with all kingfishers, the nest of a Pied soon becomes unsanitary.