5 Places to See Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher in India

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher also known as the black-backed kingfisher or three-toed kingfisher, is the most beautiful species of kingfisher found in India. The small red, violet, blue and yellow color kingfisher from the family of Alcedinidae, is very much endemic to much of the coastal regions of Indian subcontinent and countries of Southeast Asia.

In search of Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, one has to visit densely shaded forest in the western ghats of Maharashtra and the coastal region of Chiplun in Konkan.

Chiplun, Konkan Region of Maharashtra – Best Place to Spot Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher

The city Chiplun is part of the Konkan region of Maharashtra and one of the fastest developing city in Konkan. The city lie within the Western Ghats and famous for kokams, mangoes, Lord Parshuram temple and the most beautiful Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher.

The little Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher breeds during the monsoon in the Konkan region, eagle nest camp in Chiplun is an eco resort and best place to see Dwarf Kingfisher in Chiplun. Raigad district is another best place to see   Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher in Konkan.

Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Maharashtra

Karnala Bird Sanctuary in Panvel is a quite small sanctuary but home to over 222 species birds. The sanctuary is breeding ground for Malabar trogon,Indian Pitta, ashy minivet and also the Oriental dwarf kingfisher have been sighted here.

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary in northeastern Goa is home to wide variety of animal life, birds and many species of snakes. The sanctuary is known for successful breeding of gaur and reported the presence of Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher.

Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka

Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary near Udupi is a popular bird watching place in Karnataka and famous for bird species including Malabar whistling thrush,Malabar trogon and Oriental dwarf kingfisher.

Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher is the new species of birds spotted in the Malabar wildlife sanctuary. Malabar wildlife sanctuary in Kozhikode conducted a annual survey and found five new species of birds in the sanctuary, including Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Black Baza and Shaheen Falcon.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kerala

Thattekad bird sanctuary is the first bird sanctuary in Kerala, along with branches of Periyar river. The sanctuary has a rich and wide birdlife, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher has spotted in Thattekad only for few times in last 15 years.

There are photographic evidence reported by Indianbirds, the presence of Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher in Vansda National Park of Gujarat, Yawal Wildlife Sanctuary of Maharashtra and Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary in Mysore of Karnataka.