Rare Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher Sighted and Documented in Moulvibazar Amid Conservation Concerns
Photo Collected
Bird enthusiasts have documented a rare sighting of the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, also known as the Black-backed or Three-toed Kingfisher, in the Adampur forests of Moulvibazar. The observation marks a significant milestone for local wildlife researchers after years of intermittent sightings and failed attempts to capture the elusive bird on camera.
The species, scientifically known as Ceyx erithaca, is the smallest kingfisher in Bangladesh and Asia, and the third smallest globally. Measuring only 12.5 centimeters and weighing between 14 and 21 grams, the bird is a summer breeding migrant that has become increasingly endangered in the region due to habitat loss.
A team of researchers led by wildlife expert and professor A.N.M. Aminur Rahman recently undertook an expedition to Adampur after learning of the bird’s presence in the area. Following a challenging trek through dense, uneven terrain in the Kawar Gala region, the team located a juvenile kingfisher resting in a thicket. The researchers were able to observe and photograph the bird, noting its distinct orange-yellow beak, which distinguishes it from the coral-red beak of the adult species.
The journey to document the kingfisher was fraught with logistical hurdles. Earlier this year, sightings were reported in the Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary in Fatikchhari, Chittagong, but the site’s high density of birdwatchers and academic commitments prevented the team from conducting research there. Previous efforts in 2022 were similarly hampered when digital files of prior sightings were lost due to hardware failure, while monsoon weather recently hindered travel to the Lathitila forest in Juri.
Experts emphasize that the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher faces severe threats as its natural breeding grounds continue to shrink. Professor Rahman, an expert in wildlife reproduction and medicine at the Gazipur Agricultural University, has called for immediate conservation measures to protect the species. He warned that without deliberate intervention to preserve these dwindling habitats, the future of this rare migratory bird in Bangladesh remains precarious.
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