Malachite kingfisher

Description:

A small flying gem is an aquatic kingfisher, found close to slow flowing streams or lakes and ponds. It is easily distinguished by a turquoise-and-black barred crown extending down to the eye. It has mainly blue upperparts and orange to rufous underparts, sporting white chin and ears. The adult (above) sports a bright red bill, while the juvenile shows a black bill and somewhat duller colors. The bill is typically kingfisher shaped.

Habitat:

Malachite kingfisher is a common sub-saharan African species. This is an aquatic species, thriving in reeds and rank vegetation near slow moving water or ponds, where it feeds on small fish, frogs and tadpoles, aquatic insects and crabs. Here, seen in Nairobi National Park, on banks of the water holes.

Notes:

Some newer literature places this species in a new (?) genus, Corythornis - I kept the old names of genus, Alcedo, as I still find it in all of my field books... There are five recognized sub-species - but I have no idea how they are distinguished; judging by the range, this spotting should be Alcedo cristata cristatus.