The Ispidina picta (scientific name) or African pygmy kingfisher is found mainly in woodland and forest habitats of Africa, but from the South of the Sahara. 4.7 inches in length, this kingfisher is a burst of colours. The crown and wings are a beautiful midnight blue, with iridescent cobalt blue shading. The sides of the head, throat and lower body are orange-yellow with purplish colouring on the cheeks. The beak and the legs are red. The beak is proportionately large for its head and body. Insectivorous in nature, this bird prefers eating insects rather than fish. But it’s also known to eat frogs and lizards. An average clutch of the African pygmy kingfisher has 3-6 eggs incubated for 18 days. Its IUCN listing is the LEAST CONCERN.
African Pygmy Kingfisher
