Malachite Kingfisher

Malachite Kingfisher

This Jewel-like little bird has become a frequent visitor to garden fishponds in many parts of Africa south of the Sahara. Since it arrives silently, and because of its size, it is frequently overlooked and may take many small fish from your pond before departing.  It perches on foliage close to the water and plunge-dive for its pray before setting off like an arrow for the next fishpond. 

In common with the Giant Kingfisher, the Malachite excavates a tunnel in a bank with a nest-chamber at the far end, the tunnel being up to a meter in length.   Three to five eggs are laid. The Malachite Kingfisher has a black bill which indicates an immature bird.  The Adults has a red bill.  After some time the nest-chamber becomes littered with fish bones and insect remains.  

The Kingfisher eats small fish, tadpoles, frogs and dragonflies and can only be attracted by a garden pond.  The introduction of small indigenous fish will prove less costly than slow-breeding goldfish.  It is a good idea to provide a perch in the pond for the Malachite Kingfisher.  This can take the form of a rock or a stick and has a real advantage for kingfisher-watchers in that the kingfisher will return to the rock or stick with its catch and proceed to immobilise it by beating it on the rock before swallowing.