Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher

The Oriental dwarf kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca) also known as the black-backed kingfisher or three-toed kingfisher is a species of bird in the Alcedinidaefamily

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 subcontinentand Southeast Asia. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, India,Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

The preferred habitat is small streams in densely shaded forests. In theKonkan region of southwest India, it begins to breed with the onset of theSouthwest 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. The rufous-backed kingfisher is sometimes considered a subspecies.