- Ceryle rudis
Identification
L. 25 cm
Black-and-white plumage.
His crown feathers form a short crest.
The male has a double and the female a single breast band.
He is often to be seen in the open.
He hovers and dives from a height to catch fish.
Distribution
Sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia.
Taxonomy
Four races recognised, differing in size and amount of black in plumage.
Nominate race occurs in Africa and south-west Asia, leucomelanura in most of Asian range, travancoreensis in south-west India and insignis in southern China and Hainan.
Habitat
Lakes, ponds and rivers, also fishes in estuaries and on sheltered seas.
Behaviour
Breeding
Nests in a hole in a bank. 3-6 white eggs are laid.
Diet
Includes fish, crustaceans and large aquatic insects.
Discussion
Old results retold in this [link] indicate that the body of a Pied Kingfisher is unpalatable to, for example, a hornet. This would imply some kind of toxic substance; it has been speculated that this might help the bird survive because it discourages predators.
