The Malachite Kingfishers (Alcedo cristata) is a river kingfisher that is widely distributed in Africa south of the Sahara. It is largely resident except for seasonal climate-related movements. Malachite Kingfishers are at home in a variety of places, including swamps, rivers, mangroves, and marshes. They also like man-made areas like irrigation canals and lakes.
The name of this species gives away what they love to do: fish! They sit patiently perched on a fence post or branch, watching the water for fish, prawns and crabs. They dive with great speed to catch their meal and then return to the perch where they eat it. The Malachite Kingfisher is one of Africa’s most beautiful and easily seen birds. Their bright jewel-like colours make them a treat to watch. There’s a lot to learn and enjoy about this fascinating bird, whether you’re interested in nature or curious.
This is a common species of reeds and ranks vegetation near slow-moving water or ponds.
Behaviour
The Malachite Kingfisher is usually seen alone. It spends most of its time quietly perched near the water, watching for prey. It is not shy and will fly a short distance if disturbed. It likes to sit on reeds or branches near the water.
It sits and scans at the surface when hunting. It dives rapidly and catches its prey close to the surface once it has spotted something. It will eat small fish, frogs and tadpoles as well as insects, crabs or even lizards. It can also catch flying insects, demonstrating how varied and skilled its diet is.
Calls / Vocalisations
The call of this kingfisher is then a short, shrill shriek. The breeding song is a chuckling li-cha-cha-chui-chui.
Description
This is a small kingfisher, 13 cm in length. The general colour of the upper parts of the adult bird is bright metallic blue. The head has a short crest of black and blue feathers, which gives rise to the scientific name. The face, cheeks and underparts are rufous, and there are white patches on the throat and rear neck sides.
The bill is black in young birds and reddish orange in adults; the legs are bright red. Males and females look alike, but juveniles are a duller version of the adult.
The flight of the Malachite Kingfishers is rapid, the short, rounded wings whirring until they appear a mere blur. It usually flies low over water. According to RSPB, this species is well documented.
There is a closely related species in Madagascar, the Madagascar Malachite Kingfisher, or Malagasy Kingfisher (Alcedo vintsioides). This has a black bill and greenish crest, and is not quite as dependent on water as the African species. It is otherwise similar in plumage and behaviour to the more widespread species. According to Cornell Lab of Ornithology, this species is well documented.
Diet / Feeding
The bird has regular perches or stands from which it fishes. These are usually low over the water.
It sits upright, its tail pointed downwards. It drops suddenly with a splash and usually returns at once with a struggling captive.
Large food items are beaten on a bough or rail; small fish and insects are promptly swallowed. A fish is usually lifted and carried by its middle, but its position is changed, sometimes by tossing it into the air, before it is swallowed head downwards.
Fish, aquatic insects and crustaceans are eaten.
Breeding / Nesting
The Malachite Kingfisher breeds from August to May, timing nesting carefully to avoid flooding. These little bright birds work in pairs to dig a tunnel through a muddy or sandy riverbank. The tunnel slopes upwards and usually ends in a nesting chamber. Instead of building a nest, they place 3 to 6 white, round eggs on a bed made up of fish bones, insects, and pellets. This may sound messy, yet it is the perfect structure and insulation for their young.
The eggs hatch in about 15 days. The parents continue to feed the chicks as they grow in the safety of the tunnel. The young birds begin to learn how to fish in a few days after they have hatched. The young birds remain with their parents for a short time before leaving to find their territory. Malachite Kingfishers can have up to four broods during a single breeding period.
Habitat
Malachite Kingfisher. The Malachite Kingfisher can be found in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. It is found in southern Africa in Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. You can easily spot it along rivers, estuaries and man-made wetlands such as canals and sewage lagoons.
The kingfisher prefers areas that have reeds and papyrus as cover or perches for hunting. They nest near small streams that have steep banks where they can dig tunnels. They are common in freshwater habitats because they can adapt to many different environments.
References
- BirdLife International (2004). Alcedo cristata. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. The database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- Kingfishers, Bee-eaters and Rollers by Fry, Fry and Harris, ISBN 0-7136-8028-8
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