Megaceryle maxima
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Martin pêcheur géant
C’est le plus grand martin pêcheur d'Afrique (son envergure peut atteindre 70 à 75 cm) où il est résident, monogame et solitaire sur la majeure partie du continent au sud du désert du Sahara sauf dans le sud-ouest aride. Il se nourrit de crabes, de poissons et de grenouilles, capturés en plongeant d’un perchoir en hauteur.
Giant kingfisher
It is the largest kingfisher in Africa (its wingspan can reach 70 to 75 cm) where it is a resident, monogamous and solitary breeder over most of the continent south of the Sahara Desert other than the arid southwest. It feeds on crabs, fish, and frogs, caught by diving from a high perch.
It is the largest kingfisher in Africa (its wingspan can reach 70 to 75 cm) where it is a resident, monogamous and solitary breeder over most of the continent south of the Sahara Desert other than the arid southwest. It feeds on crabs, fish, and frogs, caught by diving from a high perch.
The dead trees in some areas of lake Baringo are ideal for it to ambush the fish:
Les arbres morts dans certains coins du lac Baringo sont l'idéal pour repérer les poissons:
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Martin pêcheur malachite - Malachite kingfisher
Corythornis cristatus
Ispidina picta
Martin pêcheur pygmée
Martin pêcheur pygmée
C'est le plus petit martin pêcheur d’Afrique sub-saharienne, il migre localement en fonction du climat. S'il est absent d’une grande partie de la corne de l’Afrique ainsi que
des régions occidentales plus sèches de l’Afrique australe, c'est un petit oiseau commun mais faire son portrait n'est pas simple. On le trouve dans les forêts - aussi bien côtières que dans les terres et dans les savanes et il n’est pas lié à l’eau: malgré son nom, il chasse plutôt les insectes et petites proies de tous genres.
Pygmy kingfisher
It is the smallest kingfisher in sub-Saharan Africa and migrates locally depending on the climate. Although it is absent from much of the Horn of Africa as well as from the driest western regions of southern Africa, it is a common bird, but to take pictures of it is not easy. It is found in forests - both coastal and on land and in savannahs and is not bound to water: despite its name, it hunts rather insects and small prey of all kinds.
Pygmy kingfisher
It is the smallest kingfisher in sub-Saharan Africa and migrates locally depending on the climate. Although it is absent from much of the Horn of Africa as well as from the driest western regions of southern Africa, it is a common bird, but to take pictures of it is not easy. It is found in forests - both coastal and on land and in savannahs and is not bound to water: despite its name, it hunts rather insects and small prey of all kinds.
Dearest Noushka,
RépondreSupprimerAll three Kingfisher species in Africa are superb, especially the Malachite kingfisher and Pygmy kingfisher's colors!
Hugs,
Mariette
Hi Noushka.
RépondreSupprimerThey are beautifully the largest and smallest kingfisher.
Greeting from Patricia.
Le géant et le pygmée! Ils sont beaux tous les deux, même si l'un est beaucoup plus coloré.
RépondreSupprimerJe te souhaite une bonne fin de semaine.
Bises
ils sont presque effrayants ...de vrais "missiles" !
RépondreSupprimerGreat kingfisher images, Carine! Whilst the Giant Kingfisher might not be the most colouful of birds, it certainly makes up for this with its magnificent stature. However, the Malachite and Pygmy Kingfishers make up for the Giant's lack of colour with their fabulous plumage.
RépondreSupprimerI hope that all is well with you. Take great care - - - Richard
Hello Noushka, some stunning birds. Your photos are again amazing.
RépondreSupprimerRegards,
Roos
Although I would have been able to identify the Giant Kingfisher I would not have known how to sex them so thank you for the hint. As always great photos. Hugs from a cool and very wet Charente! Take care Diane
RépondreSupprimerWow, que dire ma chère Noushka sinon que ces photos sont merveilleuses. Un régal pour les yeux. Merci à toi.
RépondreSupprimerBon week end et je t'embrasse.
chatou
Hi Noushka,
RépondreSupprimerKingfishers all look beautiful. You show us here a number of great pictures of three beautiful coloured types. It's always a pleasure to see them.
Greetings, Kees
Hi Noushka,
RépondreSupprimerAlways love to see any Kingfisher. We have seen the Giant and the Malachite but never the Pygmy.
A friend visited Senegal and Gambia earlier in the year after the Osprey and was fascinated by the Malachite.
Super set of images.
All the best, John
How wonderful to enjoy my morning coffee with these exquisite images!
RépondreSupprimerI know how difficult it is to obtain good images of a Kingfisher and this series is spectacular. Thank you so much, Noushka, for sharing them with us.
Just beautiful photos, Carine! (I'm trying to make the switch from "Noushka," which I will always associate with you!). Kingfishers are fascinating birds. I was reading an article in the National Geographic the other day, and paleontologists are firmly behind the theory that birds are dinosaurs among us. When I volunteered in the fossil lab years ago, it was still a theory that was questioned vigorously. One of the highlights of my life was seeing the magnificent Archaeopteryx on display in the British Museum some years ago. I had studied a cast of the BM Archaeopteryx while working in the lab. I believed in my heart then that birds descended from dinosaurs ~ not very scientific I know, but that's how I felt. I'm glad that scientists have caught up with my heart ~ LOL Thank you for these glorious photos which have turned my mind to ancient skies! Take care! Hugs to you!
RépondreSupprimerHello Noushka
RépondreSupprimerI love kingfishers very much and in the Netherlands we have only one kind of kingfisher.
The photos you show here are really fantastic. Beautiful, clear and sharp photos full of beautiful dedails.
Are you okay?
Dear greetings, Helma
Bonjour Noushka,
RépondreSupprimerCes Martins sont fantastiques.Si le géant est impressionnant, le pygmée a ma préférence. Sa couleur est fantastique. Le bleu chez les oiseaux offre tant de nuances!
Il me rappelle certains rencontrés en Australie au bord des rivières à peine perceptibles dans la végétation!
Belles photos du vol!
Le géant est un vrai missile, les autres sont stupéfiants par leurs couleurs.
RépondreSupprimerOn ne se lasse pas de tes photos.
Tu dois commencer à avoir une sacrée collection !