African dwarf kingfisher
species of bird
This article discusses the African dwarf kingfisher, which is distinct from the Oriental dwarf kingfisher.
The African dwarf kingfisher (Ispidina lecontei) is a species of kingfisher in the Alcedininae subfamily.
Taxonomy
The African dwarf kingfisher was described in 1856 by the American ornithologist John Cassin from a specimen collected by Paul Du Chaillu. Cassin introduced the current binomial name Ispidina lecontei. The specific epithet was chosen in honour of the entomologist John Lawrence LeConte.
There are two subspecies:
I. l. ruficeps Hartlaub, 1857 – Sierra Leone to Ghana, west of the Dahomey gap in the rainforest.
I. l. lecontei Cassin, 1856 – south Nigeria to west South Sudan, Uganda and central Democratic Republic of the Congo; central Angola.
Description
This is the world's smallest kingfisher with a length of 10 centimetres (3.9 in) and a weight of 9–12 grams (0.32–0.42 oz).
The public source identifies “African dwarf kingfisher” as species of bird. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around African, dwarf and kingfisher.
Why this record matters
A short description can identify a subject without explaining its stakes. For “African dwarf kingfisher”, the useful work is to connect “species of bird” to the records capable of establishing context and consequence.
The date and method of observation matter as much as the stated conclusion, especially where classification or consensus has changed. The source revision retrieved here is dated Sep 28, 2025. The linked authority identifier is Q27074797. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference. The first chronological checks are 1856 and 1857.
A general summary may omit uncertainty, sample limits or methodological disagreement that is explicit in the technical record. The lead is largely declarative, so disagreement and counter-evidence require a deliberate search beyond the opening account. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Check terminology, classification and the date of the cited evidence. Scientific names and technical consensus can change while older records retain historical value.
- Current terminology
- Classification context
- Finding cited technical literature
Primary datasets, specimen catalogues, standards bodies and the most recent peer-reviewed literature.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “African dwarf kingfisher”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow African dwarf kingfisher primary sources, African dwarf kingfisher archive and African research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “African dwarf kingfisher”?
- Is the terminology current, historical or disputed?
- Has classification or technical consensus changed since the cited source?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “African dwarf kingfisher” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.