ABSTRACT

Giant unmistakeable, piscivorous species is awarded D2 because it is shy and rather uncommon, and often inconspicuous along the well-wooded banks of permanent rivers and lakes. It is widely sympatric with the smaller Pied Kingfisher, but prefers more closed habitats. This kingfisher is thought to be a resident and wanderer, although a ringed bird moved 760 km from W Ethiopia to N Uganda. The Malachite Kingfisher's breeding squares are 72% above 1000 m, and there is only a single confirmed record from the coastal lowlands. This pattern may well reflect observer frequency and a rather unobtrusive, hole-nesting species. Two single birds that entered Ngulia Lodge 101A at night during the Nov-Dec rainy period may have been related to this Tsavo E movement: they were away from suitable habitat, but were assumed to be wanderers because this species is not known to be migratory.