Bird Guide

Azure Kingfisher vs Little Kingfisher

Azure Kingfisher (Ceyx azureus)

Azure Kingfisher

Ceyx azureus

Small35 gRiverine

The azure kingfisher measures 17–19 cm (6.7–7.5 in) in length, and the male weighs 29–32 g (1.0–1.1 oz) while the female is slightly heavier at 31–35 g (1.1–1.2 oz). It is a very colourful bird, with deep blue to azure back, a large white to buff spot on the side of the neck and throat, rufous-buff with some blue-violet streaks on the breast and flanks. The feet are red with only two forward toes. Voice: The azure kingfisher is usually silent, but makes a sharp, squeaky call when breeding. Its voice is a high-pitched, shrill "pseet-pseet", often in flight.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) · CC BY 3.0
Little Kingfisher (Ceyx pusillus)

Little Kingfisher

Ceyx pusillus

Tiny13 gForest

The little kingfisher is 11.5 to 13 cm (4.5 to 5.1 in) long with a glossy, deep-blue back and head, and a snowy white breast. It has a heavy bill and a short tail. It has dark brown feet, with one toe to the rear and only two forward toes. This is one of the smallest kingfishers in the world; only the African dwarf kingfisher is smaller. The male weighs 10–15 g (0.35–0.53 oz) and the female 10–14 g (0.35–0.49 oz). Voice: The little kingfisher makes a high-pitched, squeaky "tzeit-tzeit" in flight, which is usually not heard by observers unless very close.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: (c) Lawrence Hylton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Lawrence Hylton · cc-by

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Azure Kingfisher and Little Kingfisher.