Malachite Kingfisher

Corythornis cristatus

Named for the deep green mineral it resembles. Perches just above the surface and dives with pinpoint accuracy to catch fish.

Population: Global population not numerically quantified; BirdLife/IUCN (2024 assessment) describes it as widespread and often common, with a suspected/stable population trend and no evidence of significant decline
Habitat: Reeds and aquatic vegetation along slow-moving rivers, streams, lakes, dams, swamps, marshes, estuaries, and mangroves, plus artificial waterbodies (irrigation channels, ponds) — usually near freshwater, from lowlands up to about 3,000 m; low forest dependency
Fun fact: The Malachite Kingfisher's name comes from the green mineral malachite, a nod to the iridescent blue-green plumage on its crown and back.
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal/Mauritania and Nigeria east to Sudan/Eritrea/Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya, south to Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa, with resident range extending to Yemen and Oman on the Arabian Peninsula (44 African countries/territories plus Yemen and Oman; EOO ~24,500,000 km²)
Diet: Small fish, crabs, prawns/crustaceans, aquatic insects and larvae, and frogs, occasionally dragonflies taken in flight; caught by diving from a low perch over water, then beaten against the perch and swallowed headfirst
Size: 0.13 m
Lifespan: 11 years

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