Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher

The Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher, also known as the Three-toed Kingfisher, is a diminutive avian jewel of the Alcedinidae family. This tropical kingfisher is a partial migrant, endemic to the Indian Subcontinent and Mainland Southeast Asia. It is a striking bird with a red bill, yellow-orange underparts, and lilac-rufous upperparts, contrasted by a blue-black back.

Identification Tips

Adults of this species can be identified by their black forehead spot, blue and white neck patches, and lilac-rufous crown, rump, and tail. They possess a dark blue back and wings, a white chin and throat, and pale yellow-orange underparts. Their legs, feet, and bill are a vivid red. Juveniles are duller with less lilac and a yellow-orange bill with a pale tip. Both sexes are similar in appearance, with males being slightly larger.

Habitat

The Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher favors lowland forests, often near streams or ponds. It thrives in primary and secondary deciduous and evergreen forests, as well as alluvial forests, mangroves, and overgrown plantations.

Distribution

This species is found in northeastern India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, southern China, and disjunctly in southwest India and Sri Lanka. Some northern populations migrate to the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra during the non-breeding season.

Behaviour

These kingfishers are solitary foragers, preferring to hunt from low perches. They are adept at capturing prey from the ground or foliage and are known to dive for aquatic prey without fully submerging.

Song & Calls

The Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher vocalizes with a high-pitched, shrill "tsriet-tsriet" or a softer "tjie-tjie-tjie" when in flight.

Breeding

Breeding occurs at various times throughout its range, with nests built in stream banks or termite mounds. The species excavates tunnels leading to unlined egg chambers. Clutch sizes range from 3-7 eggs, with both parents sharing incubation duties.

Diet and Feeding

The diet is varied, including insects, spiders, worms, small crabs, fish, frogs, and lizards. They forage alone, striking larger prey against their perch before consumption.

Conservation status

The Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, with a decreasing population trend. The exact number of mature individuals is unknown.

Threats

The primary threat to this species is habitat loss due to deforestation. Other threats include pollution, drying of water bodies, human persecution, collisions with man-made structures, and climate-induced changes affecting migration and breeding patterns.