Dimorphic Dwarf-Kingfisher
Ceyx margarethae
A small kingfisher of lowland and foothill forest. Deep blue above with bright orange underparts, an orange spot between the bill and eye, a white throat and patch behind the cheek, and a bright red bill and legs. Blue upperparts can be dark or pale. Somewhat similar to Philippine Dwarf-Kingfisher, especially from the front or below, but Dimorphic has bright blue head and back. Voice includes various high-pitched chips, trills, and squeaks.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ceyx margarethae
- Authority
- Blasius, W, 1890
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- Genus
- Ceyx
Range and habitat
Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. To be precise, it inhabits islands such as Murcia, Negros, Cebu, Camiguin Sur, Mindanao and many other small islands in the central and southern Philippines (including Mt. Kanlaon). The species do vary from their cousin species such as indigo-banded and southern silvery kingfishers in a way that they do not fish for food when in water, and use it only to clean their feathers.<p>This species was formerly considered as one of the 15 recognised subspecies of what was then known as the variable dwarf kingfisher (Ceyx lepidus or Alcedo lepidus). A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2013 found that most of the insular subspecies had substantially diverged from one another. The variable dwarf kingfisher was therefore split and 12 of the subspecies, including the dimorphic dwarf kingfisher, were promoted to species status. At the same time the name of the variable dwarf kingfisher was changed to the Moluccan dwarf kingfisher.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Dollarbird
Eurystomus orientalis
Heavily built, flat-headed dark blue bird with a short bright red bill. In flight has a characteristic white circle, or ‘dollar’, on each underwing. Juvenile lacks red bill. May resemble mynas in flight, but note longer wings, larger head, and more powerful, less frantic flight. Nests in cavities; typically tree hollows. Frequently perches on power-lines or in the tops of tall dead trees.
Chestnut-winged Hookbill
Ancistrops strigilatus
Streaky canopy foliage-gleaner with a slightly hooked bill tip. Light buffy brown overall with extensive streaking from the head down to the back and breast, with reddish wings and tail. Forages in the midstory and canopy with mixed species flocks, keeping its body horizontal as it clambers along branches. Most common in upland forest, where it can be the most common foliage-gleaner in canopy mixed species flocks, but can also occasionally be found in mature forest in seasonally flooded areas.
Lesser Crested Tern
Thalasseus bengalensis
Elegant medium-sized tern with a slender yellow-orange bill and black crown. Can be confused with Great Crested Tern; note proportionally longer, more orangey bill on Lesser Crested. Also note gray upperwing, which separates it from Sandwich Tern. Gray rump and tail are diagnostic if seen well. On juveniles, note dull legs, secondaries with dark centers, and a weakly patterned upperwing. Strictly coastal, usually found on beaches and estuaries. Call a noisy “kerrrick.”
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