Papuan Dwarf-Kingfisher
Ceyx solitarius
A tiny kingfisher of lowland and foothill forest interior. Deep, cobalt blue head and wings with eye-catching paler blue patch on the back and pale orange belly. White throat and ear patch, with pale buff spot behind the bill. Flies overhead like a blue, speeding bullet. Devilishly difficult to see. Similar to Azure Kingfisher, but Papuan Dwarf-Kingfisher is smaller, lacks the blue on the sides of the chest and isn’t associated with water. Voice, high-pitched “cheep!” calls.
Identification
A tiny kingfisher of lowland and foothill forest interior. Deep, cobalt blue head and wings with eye-catching paler blue patch on the back and pale orange belly. White throat and ear patch, with pale buff spot behind the bill. Flies overhead like a blue, speeding bullet. Devilishly difficult to see. Similar to Azure Kingfisher, but Papuan Dwarf-Kingfisher is smaller, lacks the blue on the sides of the chest and isn’t associated with water. Voice, high-pitched “cheep!” calls.
Taxonomy
Genus: Ceyx; Family: Alcedinidae; Order: Coraciiformes.
- Scientific name
- Ceyx solitarius
- Authority
- Temminck, 1836
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- Genus
- Ceyx
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Melanocharis longicauda
A small bird of mid-montane forest. Fairly thick-bill, yellowish-tinged underparts, yellow tufts on the sides and a long tail with white outer edge. Female is dark olive above and paler below. Male is black above and grayish below. Similar to other berrypeckers but longer-tailed and shorter billed than Black, lacks the orange in the bill of Obscure and shorter-tailed than Fan-tailed. Voice, a high-pitch, jumbled, twittering song and a thin, whispy call.
Red-and-white Antpitta
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Pitcairn Reed Warbler
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A large cold-toned warbler with grayish-brown upperparts, yellowish-buff underparts, and variably white wings and tail. Irregular whitening of wings and tail give it a messy appearance. Found primarily in patches of tall forest, avoiding open areas. Voice is a harsh, scolding “chak, chak.” Does not sing.
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