My favourite fun fact

Despite being one of Africa's smallest kingfishers, the African Pygmy Kingfisher doesn't spend much time catching fish at all. Instead, it hunts insects, spiders and even tiny lizards, mostly from low perches.

Scientific name

Ceyx pictus

Afrikaans name

Dwergvisvanger

Description

A tiny, jewel-like kingfisher with brilliant orange underparts, deep blue upperparts and a bright red bill. Despite its dazzling colours, its small size often allows it to go unnoticed in dense vegetation.

Habitat

Found in woodlands, riverine forests, thickets and coastal forests throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly during the summer months in Southern Africa.

Interesting behaviour

African Pygmy Kingfishers are migratory in certain parts of their range and often arrive in Southern Africa with the first summer rains. Their high-pitched calls are often heard long before the bird is seen, as it darts through the undergrowth.

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