FACT OF THE DAY: The Malachite Kingfisher
This is a stunning small bird, approx. 13 cm in length. The general colour of the upper parts of the adult bird is bright metallic blue. The head has a short crest of black and blue feathers. The face, cheeks and underparts are rufous (reddish) 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. They are found throughout most of the southern African sub-regions. (courtesy of Nyumbani Estate)