Blue-breasted Kingfisher

Halcyon malimbica

The Blue-breasted Kingfisher, scientifically known as Halcyon malimbica, is a striking bird species found in sub-Saharan Africa. This medium-sized kingfisher is known for its vibrant blue and chestnut plumage, with a distinctive blue breast and bright red bill. It inhabits dense forests, riverbanks, and wooded savannas, where it hunts for small fish, insects, and amphibians by perching and diving into the water. The species is known for its melodious calls and agile flight patterns. Despite facing threats from habitat loss and deforestation, the Blue-breasted Kingfisher is not currently listed under any specific conservation status by the IUCN.

Habitat: Forests, riverbanks, wooded savannas

Blue-breasted Kingfisher
© stuart Burns from Erith, England · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

2-Day Entebbe Botanical Gardens and Mabira Forest Birding
2-Day Entebbe Botanical Gardens and Mabira Forest Birding
Uganda / Entebbe Private tour 2 days | 0h

A two-day private birding break from Entebbe to Mabira Forest with garden and lowland forest birding....

From 0.00 USD
14-Day Senegal and Gambia Combined Birdwatching Trip with Turaco Birding
14-Day Senegal and Gambia Combined Birdwatching Trip with Turaco Birding
The Gambia / Senegal and The Gambia Private tour 14 days | 0h

A combined 14-day Senegambia birdwatching trip linking Turaco Birding routes in The Gambia and Senegal....

From 0.00 USD
10-Day Birdwatching Trip in The Gambia with Turaco Birding
10-Day Birdwatching Trip in The Gambia with Turaco Birding
The Gambia / The Gambia Private tour 10 days | 0h

An all-inclusive 10-day Turaco Birding trip through The Gambia for coastal, wetland, river and up-country birding....

From 0.00 USD
Birds and Breakfast at Lamin Lodge with Abuko Birding
Birds and Breakfast at Lamin Lodge with Abuko Birding
The Gambia / Lamin and Abuko Private tour 7h

An early Birds and Breakfast outing with coffee at Lamin Lodge, rice-field birding and Abuko Nature Reserve....

From 0.00 USD
Full-Day Gambia Birdwatching Trips with Turaco Birding
Full-Day Gambia Birdwatching Trips with Turaco Birding
The Gambia / Greater Banjul Coast Private tour 11h

A full-day Turaco Birding option from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM combining coastal forests, wetlands, creeks and woodland sites....

From 0.00 USD
Half-Day Coastal Birdwatching Trips with Turaco Birding
Half-Day Coastal Birdwatching Trips with Turaco Birding
The Gambia / Greater Banjul Coast Private tour 5.5h

A half-day private birdwatching option covering Abuko, Farasutu, Brufut Woods, Pirang/Bonto, Kartong, Kotu Creek or Marakissa....

From 0.00 USD
14 Day Comprehensive Nature Adventure Birding- Gambia-Senegal
14 Day Comprehensive Nature Adventure Birding- Gambia-Senegal
The Gambia Group tour 14 days | 0h

Experience an unforgettable 14-day birdwatching adventure in The Gambia and Senegal, exploring some of West Africa’s richest and most dive...

From 2000.00 EUR