Explore the Heart of South Africa: Nature, Culture, Adventure
Giant Kingfisher
Afrikaans name: Reuse Visvanger
Giant Kingfisher
Photo © Steven Herbert
Ceryle maxima
The Giant Kingfisher is common in South Africa. It can be found over most of the country, other than the arid western regions. Any water habitat suits this species including seashores, estuaries, sewage ponds and freshwater rivers, dams and lakes.
It has a powerful bill which is designed to help it eat its favourite food of crabs. It also catches fish and has been recorded catch fish nearly 18 cm in length. Frogs are also on the menu.
The male and female are fairly similar in looks but there is an easy way to separate them. The male has the brown patch on its chest higher up than the female. It is said that his brown is a waistcoat and her brown is an apron.
The Giant Kingfisher doesn't mess around when it comes to breeding. It excavates a tunnel in a sandbank and these entrance tunnels can be between 1 and 8 metres long! Between 3 and 5 eggs are laid and are tended to by both parents.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 395 | Megaceryle maxima maxima |
| 2nd | 395 | Megaceryle maxima |
| 3rd | 395 | Megaceryle maxima |
| 4th | 395 | Megaceryle maxima |
| 5th | 429 | Ceryle maxima |
| 6th | 429 | Megaceryle maxima |
| 7th | 98 | Megaceryle maxima |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 395 | Giant Kingfisher |
| 2nd | 395 | Giant Kingfisher |
| 3rd | 395 | Giant Kingfisher |
| 4th | 395 | Giant Kingfisher |
| 5th | 429 | Giant Kingfisher |
| 6th | 429 | Giant Kingfisher |
| 7th | 98 | Giant Kingfisher |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 395 | Reuse-visvanger |
| 2nd | 395 | Reuse-visvanger |
| 3rd | 395 | Reuse-visvanger |
| 4th | 395 | Reuse-visvanger |
| 5th | 429 | Reuse Visvanger |
| 6th | 429 | Reuse Visvanger |
| 7th | 98 | Reusevisvanger |
References and further reading
Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 50Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 124
Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 55
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 161
The Coastal Guide of South Africa - Author: Jacana Media - Published: 2007 - Page: 98
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 145
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 256
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 31
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 370
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 248
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 374
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 283
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 270
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 210
Newman s Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 54
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 52
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 248
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 248
KwaZulu-Natal - A celebration of biodiversity - Author: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife - Published: 2002 - Page: 178
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 411
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 122
Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 176
Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 43
Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 160
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 46
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 142
Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 134
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 75
Birds of the Kruger and other National Parks - Volume 2 - Author: National Parks Board - Published: 1974 - Page: 16
Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 55
Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 276
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 126
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 159
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 98
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 90
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 98
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 172
This website features affiliate links, meaning we’ll earn a small commission if you purchase through these links.
Copyright Steven Herbert Projects, 2013 - 2025. All rights reserved.