The Beautiful Chocolate-backed Kingfisher of Uganda

The beautiful Chocolate-backed Kingfisher of Uganda: It is a remarkable bird species found within Budongo Forest, especially in the Royal Mile and  Kaniyo Pabidi Forests. The Chocolate-backed Kingfisher (Halcyon badia) is named for its eye-catching coloration, unique eating habits, and rainforest habitat. Make sure to keep an eye out for this beautiful bird if you ever find yourself visiting the African rainforests, as it is the largest natural tropical rain forest in Uganda. Where this incredible bird lives are the ecosystems that surround rich woodlands, such as riverbanks, woodland clearings, thickets, and riverine areas that support wildlife.

Appearance

This magnificent woodland Kingfisher has distinguishing visual features such as a bright red bill, a rump, brightly coloured wings, and a tail. Its colour is dark chocolate, both above and below. The immature appearance of both sexes is similar, with a blackish-red-tipped bill and brownish-grey scaling on the upper breast and flanks.

Vocalization

In relation to the calls, because of the striking vocalisation range patterns, birders find it easier to detect the presence of the Chocolate backed Kingfisher even when it’s in hiding. Wi-wi-wi-wi-wi-wi-wi-wi-wiu-wiu-wiu-wiu-wiu-wu-wu-wu is a characteristically loud series that begins high in the canopy and ends with single notes that rise, decrease, and eventually fade away, quite melancholic and melodic, with protracted intervals between each series.

Diet and feeding habits

From their perch high in the treetops, these Kingfishers spend most of their time quietly observing clearings. They either descend to hunt prey on the ground or soar to catch it in the air from their perches. It is been observed that Chocolate-backed Kingfishers attack driving ant columns and consume the insects the ants flush out or the ants themselves.

Their primary food sources include invertebrates, grasshoppers, beetles, and tiny lizards. The skilled fisherman, the Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, is known for its good eyesight and sharp beak. It is frequently spotted perched on a limb close to the water’s edge, waiting to capture its meal.

Distribution

The ventriloquial forest kingfisher, known as the Chocolate-backed Kingfisher (Halcyon badia), is distributed in several locations, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. This magnificent bird, a member of the Halcyoninae subfamily, resides along the Royal Mile—Busingiro—of Uganda’s stunning Budongo Forest. It is always in a high canopy of dense woodland at 700–1400 metres in western Uganda. They invariably travel in pairs and are both local and uncommon.

Budongo Forest, Royal Mile and Busingiro tourism sectors

The luxurious Busingiro sanctuary is nestled deep within Budongo Forest. With almost 360 bird species recorded, this undiscovered jewel of Uganda is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The mesmerising Uganda Woodland Warbler, the stunning Lemon-bellied Crombec, and the spectacular Chocolate-backed Kingfisher are just a few of the unusual and rare species that call this place home.

Ituri Batis, Red-fronted Antpecker, and Nahan’s Partridge are more unusual birds that will excite you to see them. Perhaps even the tiniest African Dwarf Kingfisher in its natural habitat will be visible to you if you are fortunate! The Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, the Forest Robin, the Fire-crested Alethe, the Grey and Yellow Longbill, the Green and Tit Hylia, and the Scaly-breasted and Brown Bald Eagle are some other amazing species to keep an eye out for.

Threats to the beautiful Chocolate-backed Kingfisher

Climate change

Climate change is one of the major factors affecting the distribution of these kingfisher species, whereby it has a negative effect on the distribution of their habitats, nature of prey, and locations. The ecology of these tropical rain forests is influenced by climate change, especially when there is a change in temperatures. For instance, high temperatures affect the existence of some of these living organisms, like insects, on which these kingfishers feed.

Human Activities leading to habitat loss

Man has played a very big role in deteriorating the environment, including birdlife habitats, as a result of numerous day-to-day establishments in habitats where these bird species seek refuge. This involves human settlement, agriculture, road construction, and the establishment of industries that use swamps as their dumping grounds. The breeding grounds for several bird species are polluted with chemicals that affect the bird population of these kingfishers.

Water Quality and prey availability

Flooding caused by heavy rainfall can disperse fish, which are mostly preyed upon by swiftly moving water. Finding and capturing prey is challenging for kingfishers in mud-filled, clouded water. When they are feeding their young, this challenge becomes extremely important.

Habitat protection of the Chocolate-backed Kingfisher of Uganda

The habitats of these Kingfishers are found in rainforests, which must be preserved for birding excursions. One major threat to their survival is deforestation. Ensuring appropriate foraging and breeding habitats can be facilitated by the establishment and upkeep of protected areas within their range.