Meet The South Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher!First Described 130 Years Ago
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In a remarkable discovery, the South Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx mindanensis), first documented 130 years ago during the Steere Expedition in 1890, has finally revealed itself through the lens of Filipino field biologist Miguel David De Leon. The elusive kingfisher, the smallest among forest kingfisher species in the Philippines, has long eluded scientific scrutiny due to its diminutive size and discreet habits.
Photographed for the First Time
The photos you about see of this fledgling, shot by De Leon have never been published, so this really is the first time most people around the world will see this rare species.
They are the result of 10 years of painstaking, sometimes laborious tracking by De Leon and his team in an attempt to document these birds’ habits.
This diminutive bird stands out not only for its size but also for its stunning metallic lilac, orange, and bright blue plumage. Found exclusively on the islands of Mindanao and Basilan, the South Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher resides in virgin and second-growth forests, keeping its presence secret with an almost inaudible zeeep-like call.
The recent photographs captured by Miguel De Leon mark the first-time publication of images of this rare species. Over a decade of meticulous tracking and observation led by De Leon and his team has culminated in this visual documentation of the South Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher’s habits and habitats.