Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima) [XC558436]
by Mike Nelson from City of Matlosana (near Klerksdorp), Southern DC, North West, South Africa (flight call)
Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima) [XC425264]
by Louis A. Hansen from Abuko Nature Reserve, Gambia (call)
Subspecies
Forms a superspecies with Crested Kingfisher (Megaceryle lugubris), Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) and Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon). Validity of subspecies gigantea has been questioned, since light and dark forms have been found together in Liberia and both the Upper and Lower Guinea forests.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
maxima (Pallas, 1769) - Open areas from Senegambia east to western Ethiopia and south to southern Angola, northern Botswana, and South Africa, mainly in eastern half, south to Cape Town and south-west, and also Orange R.
gigantea (Swainson, 1837) - Forest from Liberia to northern Nigeria, then east to western Tanzania and south to northern Angola.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet