Photo: Frank Vassen from Brussels, Belgium / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher
Corythornis madagascariensis
Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher (Corythornis madagascariensis) — Kingfishers & Rollers of Africa.
The Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher (Corythornis madagascariensis) is a member of the Alcedinidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 17.7 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Coraciiformes
- Family Alcedinidae Kingfishers
- Genus Corythornis
- Species madagascariensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 17.7 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher (Corythornis madagascariensis) belongs to the Alcedinidae family of the order Coraciiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Madagascar (except c, far s).
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 17.7 g, with a wing length of about 5.7 cm and a tail of around 2.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 159,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher?
The Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher is a small bird that weighs around 17.7 g.
Where does the Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher live?
The Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher is found across Africa with a range covering AF Madagascar (except c, far s), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher belong to?
The Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher (Corythornis madagascariensis) belongs to the Alcedinidae family, in the order Coraciiformes.
What does the Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher eat?
The Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher migrate?
The Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher make?
1 real field recording of the Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher's range?
The Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher has a mapped global range of about 159,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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