Malagasy Kingfisher
Corythornis vintsioides
Small, gem-like wetland kingfisher. Found in almost all habitats with water, including streams, rivers, lakes, rice paddies, and along the coast. Sits motionless for long periods before plunging to the water to snatch prey. Call is a harsh “tshik,” often given in flight. Separated from Madagascar Pygmy-Kingfisher by blue upperparts and mostly dark bill. Prefers wetlands, whereas Pygmy-Kingfisher is found in forest.
Identification
The Malagasy kingfisher or Madagascar kingfisher (Corythornis vintsioides) is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae that is found in Madagascar, Mayotte and the Comoros. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical mangrove forests. The Malagasy kingfisher was formally described by the French naturalists Joseph Eydoux and Paul Gervais in 1836 and given the binomial name Alcedo vintsioides. It is closely related to the malachite kingfisher (Corythornis cristatus) which is widely distributed in mainland Africa. It is one of only two kingfishers that occur in Madagascar. The other is the Madagascar pygmy kingfisher (Corythornis madagascariensis). There are two subspecies: C. v. johannae Meinertzhagen, R., 1924 – Comoro Islands C. v. vintsioides (Eydoux & Gervais, 1836) – Madagascar The Malagasy kingfisher is 13 cm (5.1 in) in length with a weight of 16.5 to 22 g (0.58 to 0.78 oz). It has dark blue upperparts, rufous underparts and a crested blue-and-green-barred crown. The bill is black. The sexes are alike. The blue plumage of the race C. v. johannae is paler and greener than that of the nominate.
Taxonomy
Genus: Corythornis; Family: Alcedinidae; Order: Coraciiformes.
- Scientific name
- Corythornis vintsioides
- Authority
- (Eydoux & Gervais, 1836)
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- Genus
- Corythornis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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