Grey-headed kingfisher perched on a branch
Image details
Contributor:
Niall Ferguson / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
2YXMR8PFile size:
90.1 MB (2.8 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
6276 x 5020 px | 53.1 x 42.5 cm | 20.9 x 16.7 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
14 November 2024Location:
Lake Nzelekela Mterere, Rufiji, TanzaniaMore information:
The grey-headed kingfisher (Halcyon leucocephala) is a species of kingfisher that has a wide distribution from the Cape Verde Islands off the north-west coast of Africa to Mauritania, Senegal and Gambia, east to Ethiopia, Somalia and southern Arabia and south to South Africa. H. l. hyacinthina Reichenow, 1900 – southeast Somalia to Tanzania H. l. pallidiventris Cabanis, 1880 – south DR Congo to northwest Tanzania and south to north South Africa The sexes are similar. The adult of the nominate race H. l. leucocephala has a pale grey head, black mantle and back, bright blue rump, wings and tail, and chestnut underparts. Subspecies H. l. pallidiventris has a darker grey head and paler chestnut underparts but is otherwise similar. The beak is long, red and sharp. This bird grows to an average length of 21 cm (8.3 in).