Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher

The black-backed dwarf kingfisher, or three-toed kingfisher, is one of the smallest kingfishers, 12.5–14cm long including bill and tail and weighing 14–21.5g. It has a lilac-rufous crown, rump and tail, a dark blue back and wings, blue and white patches on the side of the neck, a black spot on the forehead, a white chin and throat, pale yellow-orange underparts and red legs, feet and bill. The sexes are alike, and juveniles are duller with a yellow-orange bill. It was formerly lumped with the rufous-backed dwarf kingfisher (Wikipedia, general species account).

It lives in lowland forest, usually near streams or ponds, and feeds on insects, spiders, worms, crabs, fish, frogs and lizards. It is a partial migrant. SoIB 2023, which still treats it under the combined Oriental dwarf kingfisher, lists it as a local and summer migrant in India with a restricted range, finds its trends uncertain, and rates it a Moderate conservation priority (Wikipedia, general species account; SoIB 2023).