Malachite Kingfisher
Corythornis cristatus
Small, gem-like wetland kingfisher. Shows geographical variation, with most birds having orange underparts, but birds in some parts of the range have a white belly. Found in almost all habitats with water, including streams, rivers, lakes, rice paddies, and lagoons. Sits motionless for long periods before plunging to the water to snatch prey. Call is a harsh “tshik,” often given in flight. Similar to African Pygmy-Kingfisher, but larger, has less orange on the face, and prefers aquatic habitats.
识别特征
It is a small kingfisher, around 13 cm (5.1 in) in length. In Southern Africa, the reference size is 14cm and in East Africa and Ethiopia, 12cm. The general color 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. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are a duller version of the adult.
分类信息
The malachite kingfisher was described by the German naturalist Peter Simon Pallas in 1764 and given the binomial name Alcedo cristata. The specific epithet cristata is from the Latin cristatus meaning "crested" or "plumed". The adjective "malachite" in the vernacular name normally refers to the dark green colour of the copper containing mineral. This kingfisher has blue upperparts but has black banding with pale blue or greenish-blue on its forehead.<p>A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2007 confirmed that the most closely related species is the Malagasy kingfisher, (Corythornis vintsioides). The Malagasy kingfisher 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 malachite kingfisher. The São Tomé kingfisher and the Príncipe kingfisher were sometimes considered as distinct species but a study published in 2008 showed that they are both subspecies of the malachite kingfisher.<p>There are five subspecies:
- 学名
- Corythornis cristatus
- 命名信息
- (Pallas, 1764)
- 目
- Coraciiformes
- 科
- Alcedinidae
- 属
- Corythornis
分布与栖息地
This species is common to reeds and aquatic vegetation near slow-moving water or ponds. It occurs throughout Sub-Saharan Africa except for the very arid parts of Somalia, Kenya, Namibia and Botswana.<p>The flight of the malachite kingfisher is rapid, with the short, rounded wings whirring until they appear a mere blur. It usually flies low over water.
- 迁徙
- Resident species
行为
The nest is a tunnel in a sandy bank, usually over water. Both birds excavate. Most burrows incline upward before the nesting chamber is reached. Three or four clutches of three to six round, white eggs are placed on a litter of fish bones and disgorged pellets.<p>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.
保护状况
- 种群趋势
- stable
照片
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
Bran-colored Flycatcher
Myiophobus fasciatus
Small, mostly brown flycatcher that inhabits lightly wooded areas and forest edge. Good field marks include its streaky breast, tan wingbars, and lack of strong facial markings. Typically seen alone or in pairs, often sitting quietly on a low perch. Vocalizations include a rising trill and a clear whistle. Note that birds found west of the Andes from southern Colombia to northern Chile are now considered to be different species.
Forster's Tern
Sterna forsteri
Smaller than all the gulls, with thinner and more pointed bill. Distinguished from other terns by pale whitish wings and orange-based bill in summer, and isolated black ear patch in winter. Forages by circling and hovering over bays, ponds, and lakes, then dropping to snatch fish. Often rests on sandbars, piers, and other structures with other gull and tern species. Snappy, quick wingbeats and acrobatic in flight.
Yellow-crested Helmetshrike
Prionops alberti
A distinctive black helmetshrike with a bright yellow crown and crest, orange eye-rings, and pink legs and feet. A rare and threatened species restricted to four locations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, found in pairs and small groups at middle levels and in the canopy of Albertine Rift montane forest. Somewhat similar dark starlings and drongos lack yellow on the head. Poorly known vocalizations are described as a varied bubbling, chattering, and piping and a repeated loud melodious “tlu-uk.”
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