Martín pescador enano oriental

1. Name: The bird is known in English as the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher. Its Latin name is Ceyx erithaca.

2. Appearance: The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher is a jewel-toned avian species with vibrant shades of violet, orange, blue, and white. It bears a bright orange bill and head, a purple-blue collar, and azure wings enveloped in rufous. The females generally exhibit similar coloration to the males, but an added identifying feature is the presence of a white patch on the vent, absent in males. The bird’s eyes are dark with white eye-rings. The textures of their feathers are incredibly smooth, appearing almost as if the bird has been painted in glossy paint.

3. Size: The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher is suitably named, as it averages about 5.1 inches (13 centimeters) in length. The bird doesn’t weigh much either, with an average weight between 12 and 16 grams. A detailed wingspan is yet to be reported.

4. Habitat and Distribution: The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher is primarily found across South and Southeast Asia, stretching from India and Bangladesh to Indonesia, China, and the Philippines. This bird species inhabits lowland forests and is often found near slow-moving waters or shaded streams, as they provide a rich source of food.

5. Interesting Facts: One interesting fact about this bird is that the parents take turns incubating their eggs. Also, the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher is known to be exceptional parents, with both taking equal responsibility for feeding and caring for their offspring. Furthermore, these incredible birds are also non-migratory and tend to inhabit the same area all year round.

6. Diet: The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher feeds on a diet of insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates, amphibians, or small fish that they hunt near their watery habitats.

7. Behavior & Sounds: The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher has a distinctive fly-and-pause flight style and is noted for its territorial defense behavior. They are silent for most of the year but during breeding season, they produce a high-pitched peeping call.

8. Conservation Status: Per the IUCN Red List, the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher is of Least Concern, meaning it is not currently threatened or endangered. However, their population is showing a decreasing trend due to habitat loss.

9. Lifespan: In the wild, the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher typically lives for 5-7 years.

10. Additional Notes: Locally, this bird is also known as ‘Daudal’ in Marathi, and ‘Kanamuchiri’ in Malayalam, both languages from India. Regarding their interaction with humans, they are generally shy but can acclimatize to human presence if undisturbed. They play a major role in controlling the insect population, thus contributing significantly to the ecosystem.