African pygmy kingfisher
Unfortunately, I haven’t yet been able to capture the African pygmy kingfisher sharply while it’s bathing. The dive in and out of the water is so quick that I’ve yet to catch the right moment. However, as you can see, the bird has indeed touched the water – its feathers are still wet.
The African dwarf kingfisher is a small, jewel-like forest kingfisher, distinguished by its striking orange face with a purple cheek patch and the narrow, dark blue crown. This bird is found in the undergrowth of forests, shrubland, and some woodlands. It is often inconspicuous, remaining motionless for long periods before suddenly darting after its prey. Its call is a loud "tsik", usually given during flight.
Although the African dwarf kingfisher resembles the Malachite kingfisher in appearance, it is smaller, has more orange on its face, and prefers highland habitats. It also resembles the similarly small African dwarf kingfisher, but the latter has a dark crown, which is the distinguishing feature.
Cheers,
