African Pygmy Kingfisher vs...... (1 Viewer)

[toubabdoc]

Malachite Kingfisher. The book I have lists one as 12 cm and the other 13 cm, so there is little difference in size. From the photos in the book I have, they look remarkably alike. Can anyone tell me how to differentiate them?
At my pond, I see some with dark, or black bills and some with orange bills. Is this an identifier?
(I'm new here, and just introduced myself on the new member forum.)

 

[tconzemi]

Hi toubabdoc and welcome to BF
the violet ear coverts and nape make this a Pygmy, Malachite has orange cheeks and blue nape
orange or black bill in both species are only age-related, black in juveniles, orange red in adults

 

[toubabdoc]

Thank you! You wouldn't have pics of the two that are illustrative? Violet and blue can be pretty similar!

 

[tconzemi]

Thank you! You wouldn't have pics of the two that are illustrative? Violet and blue can be pretty similar!

Pygmy https://www.birdforum.net/gallery/search.php?searchid=368367
Malachite https://www.birdforum.net/gallery/search.php?searchid=368368

many beautifull pictures to be found here on Birdforum, use opus (encyclopaedia) for the species and below the text you find a link to all the pics and videos in the gallery

 

[FormerMemberfor15years]

Thank you! You wouldn't have pics of the two that are illustrative? Violet and blue can be pretty similar!

I guess yo understand Frenc in Senegal, so you might like my detailed page, in French, about those birds. Check out here :

Pygmy (Martin-pêcheur pygmée) : https://valeryschollaert.wordpress.com/martin-pecheur-pygmee-ispidina-picta/

Malachite (Martin-pêcheur huppé) : https://valeryschollaert.wordpress.com/martin-pecheur-huppe-corythornis-cristatus/