Species:
Common Name : Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher (Also called Three-toed Kingfisher
or Black-backed Kingfisher)

Scientific name: *Ceyx erithaca erithaca*

Status in the Region: Rare monsoon breeding migrant (from June-Oct).....
Partial to flowing streams in deep forests.
Place: Forest in Mumbai, India.

Date: 20.7.08

Equipment: Canon 40 D with Canon 100-400 mm IS lens

Notes:

It was my dream to photograph my most favorite bird and though, I have seen
him several times over the years (even once had an opportunity to handle
it), I always wished to make an image…..These jewels lead a mysterious life
really….. It is a breeding visitor to the Mumbai region arriving with the
rains and vanishing as soon as the breeding is over….surprisingly, there is
not much information from where this population comes from, as there are
very few records down south in non-breeding season….. I suspect they migrate
from Srilanka (?), but this needs verification. This tiny bird has such
amazing colours that one gets stunned at its mere sight. It is a true forest
dweller, found mostly along flowing streams in shady places, but never in
open habitat……this extremely elusive bird is usually seen darting its way
with such speed and agility that most of its sightings are just a glimpse
like a zooooooooooming fire ball…. I feel blessed that I lived to see this!

It has a distinct high pitched call, which helps to locate the bird, however
it is seldom seen and moves almost like a bullet thro' the forest
undergrowth, sometimes injuring itself while trying to navigate thro' the
glass windows (in structures inside forests) obviously confusing it for a
opening.

The image is not exactly how I expected (I know, I am beign
greedy:-)….however, with the extremely low light conditions (It was very
cloudy and in shade), high ISO and just a few seconds glimpse… I could just
manage this much.

For the groups which don't allow attachments......here is the link to the
photograph...

http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=54947

For more information on this species.....click below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-backed_Kingfisher

http://209.85.175.104/search?q=cache:FE-0-LS4x4QJ:rmbr.nus.edu.sg/bib...

Regards,

Adesh Shivkar
(Mumbai)

ODKF.jpg 166K Download