---
title: "Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher"
description: "Ceyx erithaca — Birds. The black-backed dwarf kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca), also known as the three-toed kingfisher, is a pocket-sized bird in the family Alcedinidae."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/animal/black-backed-dwarf-kingfisher
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher

> Ceyx erithaca — Birds. The black-backed dwarf kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca), also known as the three-toed kingfisher, is a pocket-sized bird in the family Alcedinidae.

- Scientific name: *Ceyx erithaca*
- Category: `birds` (Birds)
- Habitats: `forest` (Forest), `freshwater` (Lakes & rivers), `jungle` (Jungle)
- iNaturalist observations: 860
- iNaturalist taxon: [850880](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/850880)

## Names

- en: Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher
- de: Dschungelzwergfischer
- es: Martín Pigmeo Oriental
- fr: Martin-pêcheur pourpré

## Countries with the most observations

IN (287), TH (168), SG (145), LK (86), MY (30), VN (21), CN (13), ID (12), BD (9), KH (7), MM (7)

## Summary

The black-backed dwarf kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca), also known as the three-toed kingfisher, is a pocket-sized bird in the family Alcedinidae. It was formerly considered as conspecific with the rufous-backed dwarf kingfisher and together the species complex was known by the English name "oriental dwarf kingfisher".
This tropical kingfisher is a partial migrant that is endemic to parts of the Indian Subcontinent and Mainland Southeast Asia. It resides in lowland forests, typically near streams or ponds, where it feeds upon insects, spiders, worms, crabs, fish, frogs, and lizards. It is easily distinguishable from other…

Text: Wikipedia (en), CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-backed_dwarf_kingfisher

## Photo

![Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher](https://animalchecklist.com/img/animals/black-backed-dwarf-kingfisher/medium.jpg)

Photo: Vijay Barve · CC0 · inaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/397389780

## Machine access

`GET https://animalchecklist.com/api/v1/animals/black-backed-dwarf-kingfisher?lang=en` — see [openapi.json](https://animalchecklist.com/openapi.json).