American Pygmy Kingfisher

Chloroceryle aenea

eBird describes the American Pygmy Kingfisher with this descriptive information:  Tiny kingfisher of shady forest streams and mangroves. Often darts away when disturbed, but can be confiding if approached quietly and usually perches fairly low over the water. About half of the size of Green Kingfisher, and easily distinguished by rusty underparts and poorly contrasting pale neck collar (bright white on Green Kingfisher). Female has a narrow green breast band, lacking on male.

I watched my first American Pygmy Kingfisher on the morning of November 18, 2024 while on a boatride with the guides from the Lamanai Outpost Lodge.  The bird was surprizingly cooperative and I was delighted to get some very good looks and pictures that morning.  Below are a few of the pictures I took during this sighting.