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Birds · Sumatera · Nusa Tenggara

Dollarbird

Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis). The Oriental dollarbird has rounded blue wing patches visible in flight, the field mark behind its English name.

Updated Facts checked Eurystomus orientalisEditorial standards

Compiled from the listed sources with AI assistance. How we prepare and review content

Photograph of Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis).
(c) Greg Tasney, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Image cropped for layout.

Quick answer

IUCN status: Least Concern

Dollarbird at a glance

The dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis) is a bird in the family Coraciidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from Papua, Maluku, Sumatra. Diet: eats flying insects caught in the air (insectivore); a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.

Quick facts: Dollarbird
Scientific nameEurystomus orientalis
Indonesian nameTiong-lampu biasa
GroupBirds
FamilyCoraciidae
Observation recordsPapua, Maluku, Sumatra
Taxonomic groupCoraciiformes
GBIF records4,565 human-observation records, 2016–2026
Data retrieved2026-09-23
IUCN statusLeast Concern · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026
Diet typeCarnivore (meat-eater) — eats flying insects caught in the air (insectivore) · BirdLife Australia — Birds in Backyards
ReproductionLaying eggs (oviparous) · Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)
ActiveCrepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) — Most active from late afternoon to dusk and in early morning. · Distribution, behaviour, and provenance of Oriental Dollarbirds Eurystomus orientalis in Micronesia - Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 140(1), 2020 (BioOne)
In this guide (12)
About this guideThis guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

What is the Dollarbird?

Dollarbird refers to Eurystomus orientalis, in the genus Eurystomus, family Coraciidae, and order Coraciiformes. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗

What is known about the Dollarbird?

The Oriental dollarbird has rounded blue wing patches visible in flight, the field mark behind its English name.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: Species account — background reading ↗

How many Indonesian records name the Dollarbird?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 4,565 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include Papua, Maluku, Sumatra. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

How can you observe the Dollarbird?

Record the date, broad location, voice and visible plumage without approaching nests or young. A clear, distant photograph is more useful than disturbing a bird for a closer view. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Dollarbird with Sacred Kingfisher, Rainbow Bee-eater, Blue-tailed Bee-eater. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

Scientific classification of the Dollarbird

Scientific classification from kingdom to species
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderCoraciiformes
FamilyCoraciidae
GenusEurystomus
SpeciesEurystomus orientalis

Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).

Common questions about the dollarbird

What is the scientific name of the dollarbird?

The scientific name of the dollarbird is Eurystomus orientalis, in the family Coraciidae and the order Coraciiformes. In Indonesian it is called Tiong-lampu biasa.

What kind of animal is the dollarbird?

The dollarbird is a bird in the family Coraciidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a eats flying insects caught in the air (insectivore).

Where does the dollarbird live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the dollarbird summarised in this guide mainly come from Papua, Maluku, Sumatra. That list is not a complete range map.

What does the dollarbird eat?

The dollarbird is a eats flying insects caught in the air (insectivore). That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: BirdLife Australia — Birds in Backyards.

How does the dollarbird reproduce?

The dollarbird reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: Vigie-Nature École (MNHN).

Is the dollarbird nocturnal?

The cited source records the dollarbird as crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk). Most active from late afternoon to dusk and in early morning. Source: Distribution, behaviour, and provenance of Oriental Dollarbirds Eurystomus orientalis in Micronesia - Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 140(1), 2020 (BioOne).

See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.

What is the scientific classification of the dollarbird?

Scientific classification of the dollarbird: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Coraciiformes, family Coraciidae, genus Eurystomus, species Eurystomus orientalis.

Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

Is the dollarbird endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the dollarbird is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the dollarbird is a protected species, consult the current national list of protected species or contact the local BKSDA (natural resources conservation office).

Sources & references

  1. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
  2. GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
  3. iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
  4. Species account — background reading ↗
  5. BirdLife Australia — Birds in Backyards ↗
  6. Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) ↗
  7. Distribution, behaviour, and provenance of Oriental Dollarbirds Eurystomus orientalis in Micronesia - Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 140(1), 2020 (BioOne) ↗
  8. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
  9. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →

Cite this page

Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.

PanduanHewan. Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/eurystomus-orientalis/

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