Explore the Heart of South Africa: Nature, Culture, Adventure

Woodland Kingfisher

Afrikaans name: Bosveldvisvanger

A Woodland Kingfisher bringing food to its nest hole

Photo © Gerrit de Vries - Fotolia.com

Halcyon senegalensis

The Woodland Kingfisher is a beautiful bird and, as its name suggests, it is normally found away from water.

It is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa but in South Africa it is restricted to the north-eastern region. They are common in Kruger National Park during summer.

They nest in South Africa while they are here. The nest of the Woodland Kingfisher is either a natural hole in a tree or one that has been abandoned by a Barbet or Woodpecker. Up to 4 eggs are laid and they are cared for by both parents.

Woodland Kingfishers feed off a wide variety of insects, reptiles, small birds and other items. They hunt from a perch and keep a lookout for food items on the ground around them.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

EditionRoberts nrScientific name
1st399Halcyon senegalensis cyanoleucus
2nd399Halcyon senegalensis
3rd399Halcyon senegalensis
4th399Halcyon senegalensis
5th433Halcyon senegalensis
6th433Halcyon senegalensis
7th94Halcyon senegalensis

EditionRoberts nrEnglish name
1st399Angola Kingfisher
2nd399Angola Kingfisher
3rd399Woodland Kingfisher
4th399Woodland Kingfisher
5th433Woodland Kingfisher
6th433Woodland Kingfisher
7th94Woodland Kingfisher

EditionRoberts nrAfrikaans name
1st399Angola-visvanger
2nd399Angola-visvanger
3rd399Bosveld-visvanger
4th399Bosveld-visvanger
5th433Bosveldvisvanger
6th433Bosveldvisvanger
7th94Bosveldvisvanger

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 122

Wild Issue 49 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 18

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 162

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 170

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 69

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 250

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 258

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 374

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 272

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 285

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 377

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 50

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 212

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 250

Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 178

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 250

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 124

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 46

Everyone s Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 61

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 76

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 144

Birds of the Kruger and other National Parks - Volume 2 - Author: National Parks Board - Published: 1974 - Page: 16

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 128

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 161

Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 274

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 93

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 99

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 99

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 171

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