Giant Kingfisher

Megaceryle maxima (Pallas, 1769)

Alcedinidae — Kingfishers

Giant Kingfisher, Megaceryle maxima, is a kingfisher of Africa, with breeding birds spread widely across the continent. It is the largest kingfisher in Africa and is found over most of the land south of the Sahara, apart from the dry south-west. The species was first described by Pallas in 1769. It belongs to the family Alcedinidae in the order Coraciiformes. Its breeding range is broad, and it is a resident breeder in much of its African range.

Order
Coraciiformes
Family
Alcedinidae — Kingfishers
Breeding range
Africa: widespread
Giant Kingfisher
© Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

14 tours in The Gambia 8, Tanzania 2, South Africa 2, Rwanda 1, Senegal 1

Custom Northern Tanzania Birding with Kelvin Matari
Custom Northern Tanzania Birding with Kelvin Matari
Tanzania / Arusha Custom tour

Shape a private northern Tanzania birding trip from Arusha with Kelvin Matari, from a single focused day to a longer small-party safari....

From USD 275
Nine-Day Gambia Birding and Photography Tour
Nine-Day Gambia Birding and Photography Tour
The Gambia / Kotu Private tour 9 days

A nine-day private birding or photography journey through coastal Gambia, Tendaba and Kiang West with three boat trips and a choice of half-...

Mukungwa River Birding Trail with Roger Irakoze
Mukungwa River Birding Trail with Roger Irakoze
Rwanda / Musanze Private tour 5h

Private riverine birding walk for waterbirds, kingfishers and active photography around Mukungwa River....

From USD 25
15-Day Luxury Birding Safari in Tanzania with Wings Explorers Tours
15-Day Luxury Birding Safari in Tanzania with Wings Explorers Tours
Tanzania / Arusha Private tour 15 days

A 15-day luxury Tanzania birding safari from Arusha to Arusha National Park, Mkomazi, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti....

From USD 20,420
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

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

10-Day Senegal Birdwatching Trip with Turaco Birding
10-Day Senegal Birdwatching Trip with Turaco Birding
Senegal / Senegal Private tour 10 days

An all-inclusive 10-day Senegal birdwatching trip operated by Turaco Birding from its Senegambia birding program....

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

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

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....

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....

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....

Tendaba and Basse 4-Day Birding Excursion with Turaco Birding
Tendaba and Basse 4-Day Birding Excursion with Turaco Birding
The Gambia / Tendaba and Basse Private tour 4 days

A four-day Turaco Birding route from the coast toward Tendaba and Basse for river, woodland and up-country birding....

3-Day Grootvadersbosch and De Hoop Birding Tour
3-Day Grootvadersbosch and De Hoop Birding Tour
South Africa / George Private tour 3 days

Follow a three-day Western Cape route from the Breede River and Grootvadersbosch forest to the open landscapes of De Hoop Nature Reserve....

10-Day Western Cape Birding Tour
10-Day Western Cape Birding Tour
South Africa / Cape Town Private tour 10 days

A private or small-group Western Cape birding itinerary from Cape Town through the Cape Peninsula, West Coast, Tankwa Karoo, Agulhas Plain, ...

14 Day Comprehensive Nature Adventure Birding- Gambia-Senegal
14 Day Comprehensive Nature Adventure Birding- Gambia-Senegal
The Gambia Group tour 14 days

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

From EUR 2,000