Sacred Kingfisher

Scientific Name: Todiramphus sanctus

Size: 19 to 23 cm

What does it look and sound like?

The Sacred Kingfisher is a medium-sized kingfisher. It has a turquoise back, turquoise-blue rump and tail, buff-white underparts and a broad cream collar. There is a broad black eye stripe extending from bill to nape of neck. Both sexes are similar, except the female is generally lighter with duller upperparts.

Young birds are similar to the female, but have varying amounts of brown scallop-shaped markings on the collar and underparts, and buff flecks on the wings.

The voice of the Sacred Kingfisher is a loud “ek-ek-ek-ek” repeated continuously throughout breeding season. Birds also give a “kee-kee-kee” in excitement and a series of chirring, scolding notes when alarmed.

Where is it found?

It is common and familiar throughout the coastal regions of mainland Australia and less common throughout Tasmania. The species is also found on islands from Australasia to Indonesia and New Zealand.

In Australia, Sacred Kingfishers spend the winter in the north of their range and return south in the spring to breed.

What are its habitats & habits?

The Sacred Kingfisher inhabits woodlands, mangroves and paperbark forests, tall, open eucalypt forest and melaleuca forest. For most of the year the birds are mainly solitary, pairing only for the breeding season.

Sacred Kingfishers breed mainly from September to December. Occasionally the season is extended to March, if conditions are favourable. Usually two clutches are laid in a season. Both sexes excavate the nest, which is normally a burrow in a termite mound, hollow branch or river bank. The nest chamber is unlined and can be up to 20 metres above the ground. Both sexes also incubate the 3 to 6 eggs and care for the young. The chicks hatch after about 18 days and leave the nest after a further 26 days.

Sacred Kingfishers feed on crustaceans, reptiles, insects and their larvae and, occasionally, fish. The birds perch on low exposed branch on the lookout for prey. Once prey is located, the Sacred Kingfisher swoops down and grasps it in its bill, returning to the perch to eat it.