Corythornis cristatus
The beautiful Malachite Kingfisher is, true to its name, mainly a piscivore though it’ll also feed on frogs, tadpoles and aquatic insects. They hunt from preferred perches, diving into the water to snatch their prey. Its diet dictates that this species is always found near water, ranging from tiny streams and sewage ponds to large rivers, dams and estuaries, provided there is sufficient growth of plants in and along the water providing perches. They are usually seen alone or in pairs.
Nesting in burrows they dig themselves in the earthen banks of rivers and streams, monogamous pairs of Malachite Kingfishers may breed throughout the year but usually coinciding with the rainy season. Clutches of 3-6 eggs are incubated for 2 weeks by both parents, with the chicks fledging when they’re between 3 and 4 weeks old. They start fishing for themselves about a week after leaving the nest and become fully independent from the age of about 7 weeks.
Malachite Kingfishers are found almost all over sub-Saharan Africa, being absent only from the driest pockets, and is considered to be of least concern by the IUCN. In South Africa they’re found in every province, though restricted to the course of the Orange River in the Northern Cape.
de Wets Wild 
Beautiful coloration. They appear to be quite small, but it’s hard to tell scale without other references. Those small branches give me the impression the bird is smaller than a robin.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are spot on, John. They’re very small birds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dis nou ‘n mooi kleurvolle voeltjie! Ek het hulle onlangs in Sodwana daar in die bome gewaar, maar kon nooit ‘n foto van hulle neem nie … en kyk nou net hoeveel mooies het jy hier in een post!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Baie dankie, Corna.
As jy daaraan dink dat ons 320 ander soorte voels voor hierdie een bespreek het sal jy verstaan dat ons ook maar lank moes wag om genoeg ordentlike fotos van hulle bymekaar te maak om darem iets aanmekaar te sit! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
What lovely photos of the exquisite malachite kingfishers!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you very much, Carol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a handsome fellow! Thanks much for sharing, this made my day.
Hope all continues to be well for you and all your dear family.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m so happy to hear from you again, Takami. We’re well, thank you very much. And you?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Dries! Glad to know you are all doing well. We are also doing OK, thanks much for asking 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is wonderful news, Takami, and we hope it stays that way!
LikeLike
Wow! Such a stunner….the iridescence of that blue is unreal!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You really should see them in real life, Lori. The camera just can’t capture entirely how perfect they are.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A jewel. Heavenly.
LikeLiked by 2 people
O absoluut!
LikeLike
I still recall my first encounter with these birds – colourful jewels they are.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s a very apt description, Anne!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hulle is darem maar ongelooflik mooi! Soveel kleure! Het hulle in Eshowe gesien!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Regtig van die mooiste voëltjies in ons land, Aletta.
LikeLike
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was excited to see the title because these little guys are stunners, as is that very top shot. That one is frame-worthy in an artistic sense.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you very much, Janet. These pictures hardly do them justice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pretty little bird! Thanks, D. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
It certainly is, H.J!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful
LikeLiked by 2 people
Undeniably so!
LikeLike
A little beauty, indeed.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You should see them in real life, Lois. Breathtaking.
LikeLiked by 2 people