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The adult blue breasted kingfisher has a bright blue head, back, wing panel and tail.
photo: Tom Gillespie
Characteristics: The Blue breasted Kingfisher, Halcyon malimbica, is a tree kingfisher which is widely distributed in tropical west Africa. This is a large kingfisher, 25 cm in length. The adult has a bright blue head, back, wing panel and tail. Its underparts are white, but it has a blue breast band. The shoulders are black. The flight of the Blue-breasted Kingfisher is rapid and direct. The large bill has a red upper mandible and black lower mandible. The legs are bright red.
Blue breasted Kingfisher is a species of a variety of well-wooded habitats. It perches quietly in deep shade while seeking food. It is territorial but wary. This species mainly hunts large insects, arthropods, fish and frogs, but will also eat the fruit of the Oil Palm
Blue breasted Kingfisher has a striking display in which the wings are spread to show the white linings.
The nest is a hole in a tree termite nest. A single clutch of two round white eggs is typical.
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N.C. Zoo is a member institution of AZA and an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr. Secretary; Michael F. Easley, Governor. A part of the North Carolina Government portal.
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