male, as told by the second black line on breast (South Africa; 2007-06-30)


Pied Kingfisher
Ceryle rudis

Native Range: Africa and Oriental Region

Notes: a large black-and-white kingfisher; like most kingfishers, it hovers over water before plunge-diving to capture a fish that it has spotted below; little sexual dimorphism except that the male has an extra black line across his breast; in this species, the hovering before a plunge-dive can last for several seconds.

this pigeon thinks the kingfisher has fish-breath (South Africa; 2007-06-30)
hovering; note large bill; black-and-white motif (South Africa; 2007-06-30)

another body posture while hovering (South Africa; 2007-06-30)
another body posture while hovering (South Africa; 2007-06-30)

another body posture while hovering (South Africa; 2007-06-30)
another body posture while hovering (South Africa; 2007-06-30)

another body posture while hovering (South Africa; 2007-06-30)
male posing for a portrait (South Africa; 2007-06-30)