Australian Kingfishers

Australia has 10 Kingfisher species, members of the Alcedinidae family. The Australasian realm (Australia, New Guinea, and eastern Indonesia) is known as the centre of kingfisher diversity. Two species, the Azure Kingfisher and the Little Kingfisher are plunge-fishing “river kingfishers”, the remainder regarded as dry-land hunters. All have large heads, long pointed bills and are brightly coloured. Food ranges from fish, reptiles to small invertebrates. They nest in tree hollows, burrows in the ground and old termite nests.

Photo: The vibrantly coloured Azure Kingfisher (19 cm) is found in Australia’s north, east and in Victoria, on the banks of creeks, swamps and lakes. Feeds on fish and other swimming prey.

The Sacred Kingfisher (23 cm) inhabits most coastal and inland Australia except the dry deserts of the west, and migrates south to breed. Hunts on dry land for small reptiles and insects.

Forest Kingfishers (23 cm) live on Australia’s eastern coast and in northern parts of the NT. They are seen in open forests, swamps, and near waterways. Nest in trees in old termite nests.

Well known for its raucous call, the Laughing Kookaurra (47 cm) is the world’s heaviest kingfisher. They inhabit Australia’s east and southwest corner, favoring open spaces of forest, farmland, parks and gardens. They feed on small reptiles, mammals and birds.

The white eye of the Blue-winged Kookaburra (42 cm) gives this bird a somewhat unhinged appearance. They are found across Australia’s north. Found in the forests and woodlands, diet is similar to its Laughing cousin.

This Azure Kingfisher was photographed on the banks of Yellow Water River, Kakadu. Kingfishers have excellent vision, capable of binocular vision with good colour vision. They can compensate for the refraction of water and reflection to catch underwater prey.

This Little Kingfisher (13 cm) lives in the far north close to creeks, mangroves and rainforest streams. Like the Azure, the Little Kingfisher waits above water to pounce on its prey of fish, crustaceans and water beetles.

Collared Kingfishers (28 cm), recognised by their large bills, are found hunting on the mudflats and mangroves of the coastal north. They feed on crabs and small fish.

This Sacred Kingfisher was photographed in eucalyptus forest on New South Wales south coast. It was feeding on prey exposed by the recent bush fires.