Black-backed kingfisher - Close-up Series

​The Oriental dwarf kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca), also known as Black-backed kingfisher or pekaka rimba in Malay is the smallest kingfisher belonging to the Alcedinidae family. Its size can be measured about 14 cm in length (Strange & Jeyarajasingam, 1993). It prefers habitat, where it was usually found, includes areas such as small streams in densely shaded, lowland forests.
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Like other kingfishers, the oriental dwarf kingfisher has bright colours, with a large and strong bill. It is easily recognised by the deep yellow colours on its lores and face, bright blue crown with violet on the sides of its orange head, bluish-black with glossy blue lines upper plumage, orange-yellow under plumage and a white throat with bright orange coloured lines in the bottom. The bill and feet are orangey-red. Both males and females look alike while its juveniles' plumage is duller in colours.

Instead of fish which is the typical diet of the kingfisher, this species mainly feeds on insects, as well as small lizards or frogs. Before eating, it kills them by holding them in the beak and continually hitting them against a stone or tree stump (Jeyarajasingam et al., 2016). [Source: MyBIS]

Name: Black-backed kingfisher
Scientific: Ceyx erithaca
Malay: Pekaka Kerdil / Pekaka Rimba / Pekaka Sepah
Family: Alcedinidae
IUCN Red List (v3.1, 2016): Least Concern
Gear: SONY a1 + SEL200600G
​Location: Lily Pond, Penang Botanic Garden, Penang

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