Orinetal dwarf Kingfisher - July 2021

Here are some photographs I made at hide prepared by Samadhan Pawar, Near Panvel at a nesting location of Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher (aka ODKF) in July 2021. 

The bird is otherwise very difficult to photograph in wild as it prefers dense jungles and a secretive life. 

This is purely forest dwelling species and is known to gather in western ghats during monsoon for breeding. It nests on banks of the forest streams by digging long hole like other kingfishers. 

During incubation the parents perform duties on rotational basis. Feeding of chicks is done by both parents until the babies are ready to fly themselves. The feed contains variety of insects, frogs, lizards, skink, crabs which underlines the extra ordinary hunting skills of this small and fragile bird. No doubt ODKF is one of the most fascinating and most colorful bird found in India.