Sacred Kingfisher

Todiramphus sanctus

Family: Alcedinidae (Alcedinid Kingfishers, 10 species in Australia)
Size: 19-24 cm
Distribution: Most of Australia except some of SW Central Australia
Status: Common
Habitat: Eucalypt, paperbark forests, woodlands, mangroves
References: Simpson and Day, Reader's Digest

A beautiful bird, shaped similar to the Laughing Kookaburra but smaller, more brightly coloured, and not nearly as often seen.

Sacred Kingfisher - Todiramphus sanctus
Photo: Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains NSW

Sacred Kingfisher - Todiramphus sanctus
Artwork: John Gould, 'The Birds of Australia', 1848. Original Scanned Image.

Some Birdwatching Resources

The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, Graham Pizzey and Frank Knight. This is the other of the two best bird field guides for Australia. It is the one preferred by many serious birdwatchers. However I find the pictures a bit dull looking for my taste — the birds all kind of look the same to me, making it harder to remember them in my mind. The illustrations are meant to be the most anatomically correct, though. The text descriptions are better than in Simpson and Day. If you want the most serious bird field guide get this one otherwise get Simpson and Day.

Purchase 9th ed. from Australia (Booktopia)

Purchase 9th ed. from Australia (Angus & Robertson)

Click here to purchase 9th ed. from Australia (The Nile)

Click here to purchase from Australia (Fishpond)

Click here to preorder the 9th ed. from Amazon

Field Guide to Australian Birds: Complete Compact Edition, by Michael Morcombe. Based on the above larger book. It's a while since I've seen this one. The publisher's commentary says that "This slimline, compact edition contains the same information on mainland and Tasmanian birds as his best-selling handbook, the Field Guide to Australian Birds. Features include plastic jacket, QuickFind system of colour tags and Quick Index ensure durability and ease of use in the field."

Purchase from Australia (Booktopia)

Purchase from Australia (Angus & Robertson)

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Sacred Kingfisher

Todiramphus sanctus

Some Birdwatching Resources

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