Wildlifeof Sri Lanka
Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher
Kingfishers, Bee-eaters & Rollers
Photo: Afsar Nayakkan · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Ceyx erithaca
Basic stats
Diet
Insects, spiders, worms, crabs, fish, frogs and lizards
Habitat
Lowland forest, typically near streams or ponds
Range
Parts of the Indian subcontinent and mainland Southeast Asia
The black-backed dwarf kingfisher, or three-toed kingfisher, is a pocket-sized kingfisher and a partial migrant. It lives in lowland forest, typically near streams or ponds, and feeds on insects, spiders, worms, crabs, fish, frogs and lizards. It is easily told from other birds in its range by its red bill, yellow-orange underparts, lilac-rufous upperparts and blue-black back (Wikipedia, general species account).
It was formerly combined with the rufous-backed dwarf kingfisher, and together they were called the oriental dwarf kingfisher. Nationally Near Threatened (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).
Quick answers
- What does the Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher eat?
- Insects, spiders, worms, crabs, fish, frogs and lizards
- What habitat does the Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher live in?
- Lowland forest, typically near streams or ponds
- Where is the Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher found?
- Parts of the Indian subcontinent and mainland Southeast Asia