Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher

Description:

The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca) also known as the Black-backed Kingfisher or Three-toed Kingfisher is a species of bird in the Alcedinidae family.This is a small, red and yellow kingfisher, averaging 13 cm (5.1 in) in length, yellow underparts with glowing bluish-black upperparts. This is a widespread resident of lowland forest, endemic across much of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.The Rufous-backed Kingfisher is sometimes considered a subspecies.

Habitat:

The preferred habitat is small streams in densely shaded forests. In the Konkan region of southwest India, it begins to breed with the onset of the Southwest Monsoon in June. The nest is a horizontal tunnel up to a metre in length. The clutch of 4-5 eggs hatches in 17 days with both the male and female incubating. The birds fledge after 20 days and a second brood may be raised if the first fails. The young are fed with geckos, skinks, crabs, snails, frogs, crickets and dragonflies.

Notes:

Hard to spot and a really shy bird, this Jewel of the Forest was spotted by my friend while moving in car in the forest roads. Its habitat was observed by us as a very small stream, where it survives feeding on frogs, lizards, fishes and is quite active during the day.