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.
Past accepted records in our database: (not a complete listing)
Photos:
External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Black-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher)
References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Ceyx erithaca. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T61658565A95175087.en. Accessed on 19 December 2021
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.