Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher

Scientific Name: Ceyx erithaca
Malay Name: Rajaudang-Api Biasa
Chinese Name: 三趾翠鸟
Alternative Name(s): Black-backed Kingfisher

Range:
Found from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, southern China to Southeast Asia with some northerly populations wintering south.

Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: erithaca, macrocarus, motleyi.

Local Subspecies: erithaca

Size: 12.5-14 cm

Identification:
Very distinctive looking with a combination of rufous-yellow underparts, lilac-tinged crown with blue patches at rear of ear-coverts, reddish bill, whitish throat, dark bluish upper back and scapulars, blackish wings and bright lilac rump/uppertail-coverts.

Habitat: Forest, gardens, parks, wooded areas and mangroves.

Behaviour/Ecology: Feeds on insect, lizard, fish, and amphibian. Often visits forest streams at dusk to bath.

Local Status: Uncommon migrant (erithaca) and very rare non breeding visitor (rufidorsa)

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Central Catchment Forest, Venus Drive, Lower Pierce Boardwalk, Bidadari, Sungei Buloh, Lorong Halus and Tuas South.

Featured articles:

• Migrant bar charts – Sep 9 update (Blog)

Featured reports: Apr 2022

Past accepted records in our database: (not a complete listing)

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher at Bidadari. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher at Bidadari. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher at Bidadari. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher at Venus Drive. Photo Credit: Alan Ng

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher at Tuas South. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher at Tuas South. Photo credit: Francis Yap