The New Ireland dwarf kingfisher, is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae that is endemic to New Hanover Island, New Ireland and the Lihir Islands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Region
Bismarck Archipelago, Melanesia
Typical Environment
Occurs in subtropical to tropical moist lowland forests, especially along small streams, gullies, and shaded ravines. It favors dense understory and tangles where it can perch low and sally for prey. The species uses both primary forest and well-structured secondary growth if canopy cover remains high. It is generally absent from open farmland, mangroves, and heavily degraded scrub.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This tiny forest kingfisher is restricted to New Hanover, New Ireland, and the Lihir Islands in Papua New Guinea. Unlike many kingfishers, it rarely fishes; instead it hunts insects and small invertebrates in the shaded forest understory. It nests in short burrows excavated in earthen banks or steep stream sides. Logging and forest degradation are potential threats, but it persists in some secondary forests.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through dense understory
Social Behavior
Typically encountered singly or in pairs holding small territories along shaded streams. Breeds in the wet season, excavating a short burrow in an earthen bank or steep slope where 2–3 eggs are laid. Both adults are thought to share incubation and feeding duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched whistles and sharp tseet notes delivered singly or in short series. Vocalizations are soft and can be easily missed in flowing water noise.
Plumage
Compact, short-tailed kingfisher with rich rufous-orange head and underparts, contrasting with bright cobalt to violet-blue upperparts. The mantle and back show a glossy blue panel, and the throat is paler to whitish. Feathers appear smooth and satiny with little streaking.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and crickets, as well as spiders and small arthropods. Occasionally takes small lizards or other tiny vertebrates. Forages by perch-and-pounce from low, shaded perches, gleaning prey from leaf litter and low vegetation.
Preferred Environment
Hunts along shaded forest streams, gullies, and dense understory edges where cover is thick. Often perches 0.5–2 m above ground on horizontal branches or vines, making short sallies to the ground or nearby foliage.
