The Philippine dwarf kingfisher is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae that is endemic to the Philippines found in the islands of Luzon, Polillo Islands, Catanduanes, Basilan, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests. Due to differences in plummage, It is recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as two distinct species with the birds from Basilan and Mindanao classified as the South Philippine dwarf kingfisher and the North Philippine dwarf kingfisher for the rest of its range. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Region
Philippine Archipelago
Typical Environment
Occupies primary and older secondary lowland evergreen forest, often near shaded streams, ravines, and gullies. It favors dense understory with tangled vines and saplings where it can hunt from low perches. Birds are patchily distributed and highly localized where intact forest remains. It generally avoids open country and heavily degraded habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A tiny forest kingfisher, it is endemic to the Philippines and keeps to dense lowland rainforest. The complex is now often treated as two species by the IUCN: the North Philippine dwarf kingfisher (Luzon, Polillo, Catanduanes, Samar, Leyte) and the South Philippine dwarf kingfisher (Mindanao and Basilan). It is seldom seen because it forages quietly in dark understory near streams. Ongoing deforestation is the principal threat to its survival.
Illustration of the nominate subspecies by John Gerrard Keulemans
The subspecies mindandanensis with a gecko to be fed to its fledglings.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with swift, low darts through the understory
Social Behavior
Typically encountered alone or in pairs during the breeding season. Pairs maintain small territories along shaded streams or within dense forest patches. Like many kingfishers, they excavate nesting burrows in earthen banks or similar soft substrates.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched seeps and squeaks that carry poorly in dense vegetation. Vocalizations are brief and infrequent, often a soft series of notes delivered from a concealed perch.
Plumage
Compact, with rich rufous-orange head and underparts, and a glossy violet-blue mantle and rump; feathers appear smooth and sleek. The throat is whitish, contrasting with the warm face and breast. Upperparts show bright purplish-blue highlights, especially on the wings and back.
Diet
Primarily takes insects such as beetles, crickets, katydids, and ants, along with spiders. Will also snatch small frogs and lizards when available. Hunts by sit-and-wait from low shaded perches, making short sallies to the ground or foliage.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dim, humid forest understory, usually close to streams, seepages, and ravines. Often forages along shaded trails or clearings within intact forest but avoids open edges.
