Least Concern

Length: 25–29 cm; Weight: 70–100 g (average ~84.4 g); Wing length: 13.3–14.2 cm; Tail: 6.6–7.4 cm

Mostly resident across its range; some local/seasonal movements depending on conditions

Does not perform long-distance migration; movements are local or short-distance only

India: Feb–Apr; South Africa: Aug–Nov; Egypt: Mar–May; Nigeria: Nov–Mar; Near equator: year-round

Nests in holes/tunnels excavated in vertical mud banks above water; burrows may be ~4–5 feet deep; clutch size 3–6 white eggs; both parents incubate, sometimes with helpers

Found along freshwater and brackish water: rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, estuaries; also man-made water bodies like fish ponds and canals

Primarily fish; also aquatic insects, crustaceans, amphibians, molluscs; hunts by hovering and plunging dives