Balaji Krishnan Photography
BKP0251-Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx Erithaca)
The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher also known as the Black-backed Kingfisher or Three-toed Kingfisher or Miniature Kingfisher - is the smallest kingfisher species; being only slightly larger than a medium-sized hummingbird.
Like other kingfishers, it is brightly colored, with a large and powerful bill.
This is a small, red and yellow kingfisher, averaging 13 cm (5.1 in) in length, yellow under parts with glowing bluish-black upper parts.
A widespread resident of lowland forest, it is endemic across much of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
They are usually found near small streams in densely shaded, lowland 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.
Like other kingfisher species, the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher hunts from a perch. However, instead of fish (the typical diet of the kingfisher), it mainly feeds on insects, as well as small lizards or frogs, if the opportunity arises.
Before eating lizards or frogs, it kills them by holding them in the beak and continually hitting them against a stone or tree stump.
BKP0251-Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx Erithaca)
The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher also known as the Black-backed Kingfisher or Three-toed Kingfisher or Miniature Kingfisher - is the smallest kingfisher species; being only slightly larger than a medium-sized hummingbird.
Like other kingfishers, it is brightly colored, with a large and powerful bill.
This is a small, red and yellow kingfisher, averaging 13 cm (5.1 in) in length, yellow under parts with glowing bluish-black upper parts.
A widespread resident of lowland forest, it is endemic across much of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
They are usually found near small streams in densely shaded, lowland 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.
Like other kingfisher species, the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher hunts from a perch. However, instead of fish (the typical diet of the kingfisher), it mainly feeds on insects, as well as small lizards or frogs, if the opportunity arises.
Before eating lizards or frogs, it kills them by holding them in the beak and continually hitting them against a stone or tree stump.