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Malachite Kingfischer (1 Viewer)

leon

Well-known member
I assume this is a Malachite Kingfischer, and not a Pygma. The log he is pearched on is above water.

Shot 100km north of Pretoria, South Africa
 

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cuckooroller said:
To me it looks like the nominate subspecies Alcedo c. cristata, a female.

How do you differentiate the sex on this bird - my guide just states they are alike ?
 
leon said:
How do you differentiate the sex on this bird - my guide just states they are alike ?

Leon,
You're guide book is right and so is Rasmus. There is nothing that I can say, and I can be wrong, other than this one "feels" like a female. I have seen lots of pics of this species and though the distinguishers that in other birds might allow sex differentiation just aren't there in this species, I find that the brilliance of color can be an indication of the sex, at least, for me. So, nothing scientific here - just sensation on an instinctual level.
 
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