Ceyx melanurus
The Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx melanurus) is a strikingly beautiful, diminutive avian gem endemic to the Philippine archipelago. Measuring a mere 12 cm (4.7 inches) in length, it is one of the smallest kingfishers in the world, embodying vibrant colors in a compact form. Its physical appearance is characterized by glossy blackish upperparts, a vibrant iridescent red back and rump, brilliant blue crown and wing patches, and a contrasting white throat, belly, and vent. The most distincti...
This species inhabits lowland and foothill primary and secondary forest, favoring dense, shaded undergrowth near small streams or clearings, often including bamboo thickets, from sea level up to 1,000 meters elevation.
Its diet primarily consists of insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and moths, along with spiders, small lizards, and frogs, typically caught by sallying from a perch to the ground.
The Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher is a diurnal and predominantly solitary bird, often observed perched motionless on a low branch for extended periods, waiting for prey. Its foraging strategy involves darting out in a swift, direct flight to snatch insects, spiders, or small vertebrates from the gr...
The Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher is endemic to the Philippines, with a fragmented distribution across various islands, reflecting its subspecies divisions. The nominate subspecies, Ceyx melanurus melanurus, is found on Luzon and Polillo, as well as Marinduque and Ticao. The subspecies Ceyx melanur...
Vulnerable
- Despite its name, the Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher primarily feeds on terrestrial insects and small vertebrates rather than fish. - It is one of the smallest kingfisher species in the world, measuring just 12 cm (4.7 inches) in length. - Its bright coral-red bill is a distinctive and easily reco...