Megaceryle maxima
Giant Kingfisher
The largest kingfisher in Africa (42-46 cm), with a shaggy crest, heavy black bill, and black upperparts finely spotted white. Males have a chestnut breast band and white underparts with dark flank barring; females have a black, white-spotted breast band and a chestnut belly. Found along Gambian rivers, mangroves and coastal lagoons.
Identification
Much larger than the region's other kingfishers, with a heavier all-dark bill and shaggy crest; sex can be told apart by breast-band pattern (solid chestnut in males vs. spotted black in females).
Want to see the Giant Kingfisher?
Join Yaya on a trip to one of the sites below, or ask about an itinerary built around it — he'll help you plan the best way to find it in the field.
Where to find it
Western Region, near Lamin/Abuko, south of Serekunda on the Banjul–Brikama highway
Abuko is The Gambia's oldest protected wildlife area, a small but botanically rich pocket of gallery forest along the Lamin Stream, easily reached from the coastal resorts. It's one of the country's most reliable sites for forest-dependent species, with an easy circular trail and hides making close encounters straightforward even on a short visit.
Tours that target this bird
A carefully paced 15-day tour from the Atlantic coast through the mangrove-lined River Gambia and into the eastern part of the country, balancing serious birding with rest, wildlife and Gambian culture. Around 300 species are possible depending on season.
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A comprehensive birding, wildlife and nature tour combining the finest habitats of The Gambia with Northern Senegal's Saloum Delta — coastal wetlands, mangroves, woodland, rice fields, savannah and riverine forest, plus a boat excursion to the Scissor-tailed Kite colony at Kousmar.
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