Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher or Rufous-backed Kingfisher? (1 Viewer)

[dixonlau]

Based on my own google, at first, I concluded it as Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher but based on other resources, it should be Rufous-backed Kingfisher. Some sources mentioned instead Rufous-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher. So I am confused which is which, or perhaps they are all correct?

Taken at Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, Dec 2020.

 

[njlarsen]

The resource I used included only the name Rufous-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher as a valid species of the three you list.

Niels

 

[johnallcock]

The taxonomy of this group has been debated. Most authorities now split Rufous-backed from Oriental, but some may still list it as part of the same species.
Any of the three names you mention (Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Rufous-backed Kingfisher or Rufous-backed Dwarf-kingfisher) could be used, depending on which taxonomic list you use.

 

[andyb39]

What has happened to motleyi, the form occurring in Sabah? Is it still considered a valid taxon? It looks a bit like a halfway house between erithaca (Black-backed) and rufidorsa (Rufous-backed), with violet wings, magenta all the way up the back, either a magenta or a maroon crown and sometimes a violet patch at the rear of the ear-coverts. I seem to remember reading that you get intermediate forms as you go further west.

Luckily the OP bird is a fairly straighforward Rufous-backed.

 

[KenM]

Species provenance to one side, what an incredible looking bird and what superb images! 🤩
Cheers

 

[dixonlau]

Thank you so much everyone. That are very helpful.

 

[njlarsen]

What has happened to motleyi, the form occurring in Sabah? Is it still considered a valid taxon? It looks a bit like a halfway house between erithaca (Black-backed) and rufidorsa (Rufous-backed), with violet wings, magenta all the way up the back, either a magenta or a maroon crown and sometimes a violet patch at the rear of the ear-coverts. I seem to remember reading that you get intermediate forms as you go further west.

Luckily the OP bird is a fairly straighforward Rufous-backed.

Clements has motleyi as part of rufidorsa. It is difficult to figure out what happened in IOC 10.2.

Niels

 

[KC Foggin]

Have no idea but it sure is a beautiful Kingfisher!