The Madagascar pygmy kingfisher is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae. It is endemic to Madagascar and found in western dry deciduous forests.
Region
Madagascar
Typical Environment
Occurs widely in lowland forests across Madagascar, especially in western dry deciduous forests and also in humid evergreen forest patches. It favors dense understorey and thickets, often near streams and gullies but is not dependent on open water. The species also uses secondary growth, gallery forests, and forest edges if sufficient cover remains. It is most often encountered in shaded, leaf-littered areas where it hunts from low perches.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Despite being a kingfisher, it rarely fishes and instead hunts insects on the forest floor. It is a secretive understorey specialist, often perching quietly in dim light where its bright colors are surprisingly hard to spot. Pairs excavate nesting burrows in earthen banks or termitaria. Habitat loss in Madagascar’s forests is the main threat to this species.
Temperament
secretive and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low and direct through undergrowth
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs, maintaining small territories within dense forest. Pairs excavate a tunnel nest in earthen banks, embankments, or termitaria, where both sexes participate in incubation and chick-rearing. Courtship often includes food offerings and soft calls.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, high-pitched whistles and sharp tsit or seep notes given from shaded perches. Song is a thin, rapid series of high whistles, often delivered at dawn. It is generally quiet and easily overlooked.
Plumage
Compact, with rich rufous-orange head and underparts, and iridescent blue to violet-blue crown and mantle highlights. Upperparts show bluish panels on the wings and back contrasting with warm rufous tones. Throat often whitish, giving a subtle pale patch. Feathers appear sleek and glossy in good light.
Diet
Feeds mainly on terrestrial insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and caterpillars, as well as spiders. It may take small vertebrates including geckos and frogs on occasion. Hunting is typically from a low perch with short sallies to the ground or leaf litter, followed by quick returns to cover. Unlike many kingfishers, it seldom dives for aquatic prey.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense understorey, along shaded forest paths, dry stream beds, and edges of thickets. Frequently hunts in dim, leaf-littered patches where prey activity is high. Uses low, horizontal perches like fallen branches and saplings.
