About Ispidina picta (Boddaert, 1783)
The African pygmy kingfisher, with the scientific name Ispidina picta (Boddaert, 1783), reaches 12 cm (4.7 in) in total length. Males and females look identical. It is a very small kingfisher species that has rufous underparts and a blue back that extends down to the tail. The dark blue crown of adult individuals distinguishes this species from the African dwarf kingfisher. Its smaller overall size and violet wash on the ear coverts set it apart from the similar-looking malachite kingfisher. The natalensis subspecies, which lives in the southern part of the species' range, has paler underparts and a blue spot above the white ear patch. Juvenile African pygmy kingfishers have less extensive violet coloring on their ear coverts, and a black bill instead of the orange bill seen in adults. Their call is a high-pitched, insect-like "tsip-tsip" that is given while the bird is in flight. The African pygmy kingfisher is widely distributed across Africa south of the Sahara, where it is a common resident species and an intra-African migrant. It is not found across most of the Horn of Africa, nor in the drier western regions of Southern Africa. This kingfisher inhabits woodland, savanna, and coastal forest, and is not tied to aquatic habitats. It is typically found alone or in pairs, and has a secretive, unobtrusive nature.
