The Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia are home to the little, vividly colored Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca). Only 12.5–14 cm long, it is one of the smallest kingfisher species.
With a red beak, yellow-orange underparts, lilac-rufous upperparts, and a blue-black back, the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher stands out from the crowd. The plumage of the sexes is identical.
This bird lives in lowland woodlands, usually close to ponds or streams, and feeds mostly on insects, spiders, worms, crabs, fish, and frogs. Although it is a solitary bird, during the mating season it may establish monogamous couples.
The female Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher lays three to five eggs, and the nest is made in a hole in a tree or bank. After around 16 days, the eggs hatch, and after roughly 21 days, the young birds fledge.
The IUCN Red List rates this species as being of Least Concern, however habitat loss and fragmentation pose a danger to it.
Housing and distribution
Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent are home to the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher. Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam are among the countries that it encompasses.
This bird lives in lowland woodlands, usually close to ponds or streams. Additionally, it is present in parks and gardens.
Actions and Feeding Patterns
Normally a lone bird, the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher may establish monogamous partnerships during the mating season. It is a sit-and-wait predator, which means it lingers on a branch or other perch and watches for prey to approach.
The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher will swoop down and capture something in its beak when it is noticed. It generally eats fish, frogs, worms, crabs, spiders, insects, and lizards.
Breeding and building a nest
Depending on where it breeds, the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher's breeding season normally lasts from April to June. In a hole in a tree or bank, the female lays three to five eggs. After around 16 days, the eggs hatch, and after roughly 21 days, the young birds fledge.
Threats to conservation are listed below.
The IUCN Red List rates the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher as Least Concern. However, habitat loss and fragmentation pose a danger to it.
The depletion of the species' water supply and the loss of its woodland habitat are its greatest concerns. Hunting and egg collecting for the pet trade are two more hazards.
Preservation Steps
Numerous conservation actions are being implemented to save the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher. These consist of:
Establishing protected areas for the species, cutting down on deforestation, enhancing water quality, and raising awareness of the risks facing the species
By adopting these steps, we may contribute to the survival of this beautiful and distinctive species.