GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS - This beautiful malachite kingfisher (Alcedo cristata) was captured on camera by local photographer Jeff Ayliffe during a recent outing to the Malachite Bird Hide in Wilderness National Park.
This species is a river kingfisher that is found in sub-Saharan Africa, in reeds and rank vegetation near slow-moving water.
This small kingfisher is only 13cm in length and 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.
