Striped Kingfisher
In appearance, it closely resembles a Pied Kingfisher. However, the Striped Kingfisher has a striped forehead and a striped crown, predominantly in white and brownish-black.
Appearance
In appearance, it closely resembles a shikra. However, the striped kingfisher has a striped forehead and a striped crown, predominantly in white and brownish-black.
Diet
Striped kingfishers usually live in pairs or threes, developing extremely aggressive behavior when it comes to driving turtle doves and the like out of their territory. The territory is about three hectares in size and includes about a hundred trees. In the early morning, just before sunrise, the song of the striped kingfishers begins and continues until early afternoon. The striped kingfisher is an excellent hunter.
The striped kingfisher is found only in Africa. It avoids agriculturally used areas and is not dependent on water, which is why it also visits the forested regions of the southern Sahara. It can be found at altitudes of up to 2,300 meters above sea level. It feeds on butterflies, termites, small lizards and snakes, and occasionally rodents.
Behavior
Courtship takes place at the top of a tree, with the male presenting the female with prey in small bites. Both males and females sit in the tree with their tails pointing upwards, singing and spreading their wings. The nest is built in a tree hollow, and many stalks and the like are carried into the nest. The eggs are laid by the female in the completed nest. Since a female often lives with two males, both males help in raising the young. They take turns warming the eggs, with the female warming them alone at night. The striped kingfisher is not yet among the endangered bird species. The range is about 13,000,000 square kilometers.
