The mangrove kingfisher is a kingfisher in the genus Halcyon. It is similar in appearance to the woodland kingfisher. It is found along the eastern coastline of Sub-Saharan Africa, living in woodland, along rivers, and in estuaries and mangrove. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed it as being of least concern.
Region
East African coast
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Somalia through Kenya and Tanzania to Mozambique and northeastern South Africa, including offshore islands such as Zanzibar and Pemba. It inhabits mangrove forests, tidal creeks, estuaries, coastal thickets, and adjacent woodland edges. In some parts of its range it moves seasonally between coastal habitats and nearby inland riverine or evergreen forests. It perches quietly within canopy or along shaded water edges and uses exposed snags at low tide. It tolerates semi-modified habitats where mature trees remain near water.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The mangrove kingfisher closely resembles the woodland kingfisher but is distinguished by its darker, mostly black bill and greyer head and underparts. It favours mangroves, estuaries, and coastal forests along the eastern coast of sub-Saharan Africa, and some populations make local seasonal movements. It takes a wide range of prey, including crabs, insects, and small fish, usually by sallying from shaded perches. The species is currently assessed as Least Concern, though coastal habitat degradation can impact local numbers.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically seen alone or in pairs, maintaining small territories centered on reliable feeding perches. Breeding pairs nest in natural tree cavities or occasionally in arboreal termite mounds, and both sexes participate in incubation and chick rearing. Courtship includes vocal duets and display flights. Outside the breeding season it may relax territoriality slightly around rich feeding sites.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations include a loud rattling or chattering series and ringing trills, often delivered from a shaded perch. Calls carry well over mangroves and coastal thickets, especially at dawn and dusk.
Plumage
Grey head and breast with pale grey-white underparts; bright blue upperparts with vivid blue rump and wing panels; darker flight feathers; overall clean, smooth plumage with slight sheen on blues.
Diet
Takes small crabs, aquatic insects, beetles, grasshoppers, small fish, frogs, and lizards. Hunts by sit-and-wait from a perch, dropping to mudflats or shallow water to seize prey or sallying to the ground. It beats larger prey against a branch before swallowing. It rarely plunge-dives deeply, preferring to snatch items near the surface or on exposed substrates.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along mangrove channels, estuary edges, tidal flats at low tide, and forest edges near water. Also forages in shaded gardens or parks close to coastal woodland where suitable perches and prey are available.
