Halcyon senegaloides

This uncommon, local migrant spends the summer months breeding in riparian thickets and coastal forest and the colder months in mangrove swamps. It can be distinguished from the similar looking, woodland kingfisher by its red bill, red legs and black carpal patch on its underwing.

We first recorded this sought after kingfisher while enjoying a family, beach holiday near Malindi on the east coast of Kenya. I walked outside our chalet one morning to find this striking bird sitting on one of the nearby palm trees eating a grasshopper.