Sacred kingfisher (species: Todiramphus sanctus) in taxonomy (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Animalia > Chordata > Vertebrata > Tetrapoda > Aves > Coraciiformes > Alcedinidae > Halcyoninae > Todiramphus > Todiramphus sanctus (gallery)
Todiramphus sanctus
Sacred kingfisher


©Anne Hoggett: Sacred Kingfisher at Casuarina Beach, Lizard Island, 1 April 2012

©Charlie Shuetrim: At Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Coraciiformes
Family Alcedinidae
Genus Todiramphus
Species Todiramphus sanctus
Status least concern

Lizard Island Field Guide
Lizard Island area: all known taxa

Colours

                   

Distinguishing features

This is the most commonly-seen kingfisher at Lizard Island. It arrives in about April and disappears by late winter. Head and back green; a black band through the eye and extending around back of head; a white collar; buff to whitish underparts; a buff patch in front of eye; makes a loud, 4-note call.

Size

  • Size data has not been obtained.

Wingspan

  • Wingspan data is not yet available.

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Local abundance

  • Lizard Island: Seen frequently during autumn and winter

Behaviour

The Sacred Kingfisher usually arrives at Lizard Island in February or March and leaves in September.

Web resources

References

  • Simpson, K., N. Day and P. Trusler (1996). Field Guide to the Birds of Australia: Fifth Edition Penguin Books, Australia.
  • Smith, G.C. (1987). The birds of Eagle Island, a tropical sand cay on the northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia, The Sunbird, 17(1): 1-11. LIRS catalog number 245.