Birds
Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher
Ceyx erithacus · also called black-backed kingfisher
Flashing orange and purplish-blue through the shaded understory of a Southeast Asian forest, an oriental dwarf kingfisher ranks among the smallest members of the entire kingfisher family, gone from view again almost as quickly as it appeared.
Overview
The oriental dwarf kingfisher, Ceyx erithacus, is a tiny, vividly coloured kingfisher native to forest and wetland habitat across South and Southeast Asia. Its status as one of the smallest kingfishers in the world, striking orange and purplish-blue plumage, and preference for shaded forest streams and dense understory make it one of the most visually captivating yet genuinely difficult-to-observe kingfishers found anywhere in Asia.
Small size, big colour
Despite ranking among the tiniest kingfishers in the world, the oriental dwarf kingfisher packs an outsized amount of colour into its small frame, a combination that makes fleeting sightings all the more memorable.
Status
Least Concern, remaining present across suitable forest and wetland habitat throughout South and Southeast Asia.
Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher: common questions
How small is the oriental dwarf kingfisher?
This species ranks among the smallest kingfishers in the world, notably tinier than most other members of the entire kingfisher family, a size that helps it manoeuvre through dense forest understory.
How can you identify an oriental dwarf kingfisher?
This species can be identified by its vivid orange underparts combined with a purplish-blue back, a striking colour combination packed into an unusually small body.
Does the oriental dwarf kingfisher migrate?
Some populations do, undertaking seasonal migration across parts of its range, while other populations remain resident depending on local conditions and food availability.
Where does the oriental dwarf kingfisher nest?
This species nests in burrows dug into earth banks or termite mounds, a nesting strategy shared with several other small kingfisher species across its range.