🌍🌏 Pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) The pied kingfisher is a medium-sized kingfisher (approx. 25cm) with striking black and white plumage and a prominent crest. Males have a double black breast band, while females have a single, often broken, band. It is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and southern Asia, favoring clear lakes, rivers, and estuaries. Pied kingfishers are highly adapted for fishing, often seen hovering expertly over water before plunging headfirst to catch prey. Unlike most kingfishers, they can swallow small fish in flight. They are sociable, often forming large communal roosts and engaging in cooperative breeding. 2.5 Flash (Edited) Five subspecies are recognised. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) 📷: Photo by larissabakker via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/photos/birds-wildlife-nature-body-of-water-3293536/ ZXSE

🌍🌏 Pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) #AfricanBirds #MiddleEasternBirds #AsianBirds | #PiedKingfisher #CeryleRudis | #WaterKingfishers #Kingfishers #KingfisherFamily 📷: Photo by larissabakker🦜 #birdsoftheworld #birds

🌎 Ringed kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) The Ringed kingfisher is a large kingfisher with a robust body, a shaggy crest, and a long, thick bill. Its plumage is predominantly blue-gray, with a white collar around its neck, giving the bird its name, and a bright chestnut belly. Ringed kingfishers are found in large parts of the Americas, from Mexico southwards, and they are known for their powerful, diving flight and their ability to catch fish by plunging into water from perches. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) 📷: Photo by Backpackerin via Pixabay EBJA

🌎 Ringed kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) #SouthAmericanBirds #CentralAmericanBirds #NorthAmericanBirds | #RingedKingfisher | #WaterKingfishers #Kingfishers #KingfisherFamily 📷: Photo by Backpackerin🦜 #birdsoftheworld #birds

📷: Giant kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima) by bechti1960 via Pixabay 2020 The photo shows the largest kingfisher in Africa, known for its impressive size (42–46 cm long) and striking appearance. These birds are black and white with a large crest and a massive beak. Males have a chestnut breast band, while females (pictured) have a chestnut belly. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) Distribution: Found throughout most of Africa south of the Sahara Desert, excluding the arid southwest. Class: Aves (Birds) Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae (Kingfishers) Subfamily: Cerylinae (Water kingfishers) Genus: Megaceryle (Giant kingfishers) Species: M. maxima CC: GKTJ

🌍 Giant kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima) #AfricanBirds | #GiantKingfisher #GiantKingfishers #WaterKingfishers #Kingfishers | #birds🦜 #birdsoftheworld #birds