Giant Kingfisher
Megaceryle maxima
Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima) — Kingfishers & Rollers of Africa.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima) is a member of the Alcedinidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 325 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Coraciiformes
- Family Alcedinidae Kingfishers
- Genus Megaceryle
- Species maxima
Quick facts
- Weight
- 325 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Giant Kingfisher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Giant Kingfisher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima) is a member of the Alcedinidae family, within the order Coraciiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF widespread.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 325 g, with a wing length of about 19.7 cm and a tail of around 11.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 13.1 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Giant Kingfisher?
The Giant Kingfisher is a large bird that weighs around 325 g.
Where does the Giant Kingfisher live?
The Giant Kingfisher is found across Africa with a range covering AF widespread, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Giant Kingfisher belong to?
The Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima) belongs to the Alcedinidae family, in the order Coraciiformes.
What does the Giant Kingfisher eat?
The Giant Kingfisher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Giant Kingfisher migrate?
The Giant Kingfisher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Giant Kingfisher endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Giant Kingfisher make?
1 real field recording of the Giant Kingfisher — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Giant Kingfisher's range?
The Giant Kingfisher has a mapped global range of about 13.1 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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