Birds
Pied Kingfisher
Ceryle rudis · also called pied kingfishers
Hovering perfectly still above open water before folding its wings and dropping like a stone, a pied kingfisher hunts in a way almost no other kingfisher does, its black and white plumage a striking departure from the family’s usual blues and greens.
Overview
The pied kingfisher, Ceryle rudis, is a black and white kingfisher native to wetland and coastal habitat across a broad range spanning Africa and Asia. Its distinctive hovering hunting technique, unusually social habits for a kingfisher, and striking black and white plumage make it one of the most behaviourally and visually distinctive members of the entire kingfisher family.
A hunting technique almost unique to itself
While most kingfishers wait patiently on a perch before diving, the pied kingfisher takes to the air itself, hovering with precision over open water until the moment is right to drop straight down onto its prey.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and stable across suitable wetland and coastal habitat spanning Africa and Asia.
Pied Kingfisher: common questions
How does the pied kingfisher hunt differently from most other kingfishers?
This species hovers in mid-air over open water, holding a fixed position before folding its wings and dropping straight down onto a fish, a technique most other kingfishers never use, since they typically dive from a fixed perch instead.
How can you tell a male pied kingfisher from a female?
Males typically show a double black breast band, while females usually show a single, often broken band, a reliable way to distinguish the sexes in the field.
Why is the pied kingfisher's plumage unusual for a kingfisher?
This species has striking black and white plumage, a pattern quite different from the vivid blues, greens, and oranges typical of most other kingfisher species around the world.
Does the pied kingfisher hunt alone like most kingfishers?
No, this species is unusually social for a kingfisher, frequently seen hunting and roosting in groups rather than living the largely solitary lifestyle typical of most other kingfishers.