Photo: Prêtre / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Malagasy Kingfisher
Corythornis vintsioides
Malagasy Kingfisher (Corythornis vintsioides) — Kingfishers & Rollers of Africa.
The Malagasy Kingfisher (Corythornis vintsioides) is a member of the Alcedinidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 17.9 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 vintsioides
Quick facts
- Weight
- 17.9 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Malagasy Kingfisher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of rivers and riverside habitats, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Malagasy Kingfisher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Malagasy Kingfisher (Corythornis vintsioides) is a species of bird in the Alcedinidae family, part of the order Coraciiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF c, se Comoros and Madagascar.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 17.9 g, with a wing length of about 5.9 cm and a tail of around 2.8 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 572,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Malagasy Kingfisher?
The Malagasy Kingfisher is a small bird that weighs around 17.9 g.
Where does the Malagasy Kingfisher live?
The Malagasy Kingfisher is found across Africa with a range covering AF c, se Comoros and Madagascar, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Malagasy Kingfisher belong to?
The Malagasy Kingfisher (Corythornis vintsioides) belongs to the Alcedinidae family, in the order Coraciiformes.
What does the Malagasy Kingfisher eat?
The Malagasy Kingfisher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Malagasy Kingfisher migrate?
The Malagasy Kingfisher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Malagasy 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 Malagasy Kingfisher make?
1 real field recording of the Malagasy Kingfisher — including its alarm call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Malagasy Kingfisher's range?
The Malagasy Kingfisher has a mapped global range of about 572,000 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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