Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx erithaca ranges India and Sri Lanka to Philippines and Greater Sundas, with nominate southern and western Yunnan and on Hainan. HABITAT & BEHAVIOR Hunts insects, fish, and small reptiles near small streams and pools in lowland forests, darting rapidly from one low perch to another. ID Tiny. Has blackish-blue mantle and wings, lilac rump, rufous tail, and bright orange underparts. Has blue patch on forehead with an orange spot beside it; black in front of eye. Rear ear coverts blue, black, and white (in order, from above). Midcrown to nape rufous-lilac. Rufous-backed morph “rufidorsa” has rufous back and wing coverts. Juvenile duller. BARE PARTS Bill bright red, duller in juvenile; feet red. VOICE Weak, high-pitched whistle, usually given in flight. — Craig Brelsford
THE KINGFISHERS OF CHINA
shanghaibirding.com covers every species of kingfisher in China. Click any link:
Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis
Ruddy Kingfisher Halcyon coromanda
Black-capped Kingfisher H. pileata
White-throated Kingfisher H. smyrnensis
Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris
Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting
Common Kingfisher A. atthis
Blyth’s Kingfisher A. hercules
Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx erithaca
Crested Kingfisher Megaceryle lugubris
Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Daniel Bengtsson served as chief ornithological consultant for Craig Brelsford’s Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of China, from which this species description is drawn.
