African Pygmy Kingfisher
Ispidina picta
Woodland. Above entirely deep blue; below buff; cheeks mauve; bill and feet red.
Kingfishers
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Fairly common summer resident. Very similar to [Malachite Kingfisher] but has mauve wash on ear coverts; and blue crown is the same colour as rest of upperparts (not turquoise) and does not reach the eyes, being bordered below by orange eyebrow. Has no territorial call but utters a hissing ‘chip’ or ‘tseep’ sound in flight. Occurs singly in a wide variety of wooded habitats from sea level to about 1 350 m, usually away from water. Still-hunts from a low perch, catching insects on the ground. Sparsely distributed.
Quick Facts
Size
13 cm - S
Names
A: Dwergvisvanger
Z: isiKhilothi
Ss: Seinodi Se Senyenyane
G: Natalzwergfischer
Bird Family
Fish- or insect-eating birds with short legs and long, dagger-like bills. The fish-eating species plunge-dive for their food from a perch or, in some cases, after hovering. Fish are beaten into immobility before being swallowed head-first. The insectivorous species hunt from a low branch, usually away from water, where they watch for and seize insects on the ground. They breed in holes in banks or trees. Immatures resemble adults but are duller.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Occurs singly in a wide variety of wooded habitats from sea level to about 1 350 m, usually away from water.
