Corythornis cristatus
Malachite Kingfisher
A small, brilliantly coloured kingfisher with violet-blue upperparts, a black-barred blue crown, orange underparts and a large red bill and legs. In The Gambia it favours freshwater habitats — slow rivers, lagoons, and marshes — perching low over the water to dive for small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects.
Identification
Similar to the smaller African Pygmy Kingfisher but larger overall, with less orange on the face and a stronger association with open water; the crested, barred blue crown is diagnostic among small Gambian kingfishers.
Want to see the Malachite Kingfisher?
Join Yaya on a trip to one of the sites below, or ask about an itinerary built around it — he'll help you plan the best way to find it in the field.
Where to find it
North Bank Region, River Gambia
Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve, on the north bank of the River Gambia roughly opposite Tendaba, was the first site in The Gambia designated under the Ramsar Convention and is recognised by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area. Its mangrove creeks, tidal mudflats, saltmarsh and flooded savanna support a rich mix of resident waterbirds, raptors and Palearctic migrants, typically explored by boat from Tendaba Camp.
Tours that target this bird
A carefully paced 15-day tour from the Atlantic coast through the mangrove-lined River Gambia and into the eastern part of the country, balancing serious birding with rest, wildlife and Gambian culture. Around 300 species are possible depending on season.
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A comprehensive birding, wildlife and nature tour combining the finest habitats of The Gambia with Northern Senegal's Saloum Delta — coastal wetlands, mangroves, woodland, rice fields, savannah and riverine forest, plus a boat excursion to the Scissor-tailed Kite colony at Kousmar.
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