Ceyx meeki
The North Solomons Dwarf Kingfisher, *Ceyx meeki*, is a jewel-toned avian marvel, a small and elusive inhabitant of the North Solomons' dense rainforests. Measuring a mere 13-14 cm (approximately 5 inches) in length, it is one of the smallest members of the kingfisher family (Alcedinidae), characterized by its disproportionately long, bright red bill and similarly colored legs. Its upperparts shimmer with a glossy purplish-blue, contrasting sharply with its vibrant rufous underparts, a pristi...
Found primarily in lowland and hill primary rainforests, often near small streams but not strictly aquatic, up to elevations of 1500 meters.
Feeds almost exclusively on insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, and spiders, supplemented occasionally with small lizards or frogs, typically caught by sallying from a perch.
This highly secretive kingfisher is predominantly diurnal, typically observed alone or in pairs, perching quietly on low branches in the forest understory. Its foraging strategy involves short, swift sallies from a perch to snatch insects or small invertebrates from foliage, the forest floor, or ...
The North Solomons Dwarf Kingfisher is strictly endemic to the North Solomons Autonomous Region of Papua New Guinea. Its primary distribution includes the large island of Bougainville and the smaller Buka Island, situated immediately north of Bougainville. While historical records sometimes menti...
Near Threatened
- Despite its common name 'kingfisher,' the North Solomons Dwarf Kingfisher rarely, if ever, fishes, preferring a diet of terrestrial invertebrates. - It is one of the smallest kingfisher species globally, measuring only about 5 inches (13-14 cm) long, making it a true 'dwarf' among its kin. - It...