Fauna
Bird

African Pygmy Kingfisher

Ispidina picta

Also known as Pygmy Kingfisher

African pygmy kingfishers dart through open woodlands and wooded gardens, hunting terrestrial insects rather than fish. These tiny birds feature vivid violet-washed ear coverts, an orange belly, and a bright red bill designed for snatching grasshoppers from low perches. During the breeding season, pairs excavate short horizontal tunnels in dirt banks or termite mounds to rear their chicks.

InsectivorousWoodlandSmall Bird
African Pygmy Kingfisher reference1 / 7
(c) Lucky Okpanachi Atabo, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyGrasshoppers, Beetles, Spiders
Predators
  • Snakes
  • Raptors
  • Domestic cats
ThreatsHabitat clearance, window strikes
HabitatsSavanna, open woodland, forest edges, gardens
Life span3–5 years
Classification
  1. OrderCoraciiformes
  2. FamilyAlcedinidae
  3. GenusIspidina
  4. SpeciesIspidina picta
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Perch Scanning: Look for tiny blue and orange birds sitting quietly on low branch perches inside shady thickets.
  • Listen for Calls: Hear for high-pitched 'tsip-tsip' flight calls ringing along wooded pathways.
Related species
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