Striped Kingfisher

Halcyon chelicuti

Other Names

    Martin-chasseur strié, Martin-pêcheur strié   Streifenliest   Alción Estriado   Strimmig kungsfiskare   Gestreepte ijsvogel   Martin pescatore striato

World: Widespread in Africa S of 15°N except in E Somalia, the lowland forests of the Congo Basin and the SW of the continent.

Kenya: Common in the dry brush and open woodland in the moister areas of the country. Mostly absent from the arid N and E.

An essentially insectiverous species (although it will take small vertebrates) which inhabits open woodland, scrub and savannah. It requires an environment which includes trees or tall posts from which it hunts. It is the most drab of Kenya's Kingfishers being predominantly grey-brown above, although in flight it shows a bright blue rump and lower back. It is a tree nester and is often parasitised by Honeyguides.