The shovel-billed kookaburra, also known as the shovel-billed kingfisher, is a large, approximately 33 cm (13 in) long, dark brown tree kingfisher with a heavy, short, and broad bill that is unique among the kingfishers. It has a dark head with a rufous stripe behind the eyes, a white throat, a rufous neck collar and underparts, a bright blue rump, brown iris, brownish-black bill with paler mandible, and pale feet. Both sexes are similar in appearance, but are easily recognized from the colour of the tail. The male has a dark bluish tail while female's is rufous. The juvenile has a female-like plumage with scale-patterned feathers.
Region
New Guinea
Typical Environment
Occurs in hill and lower montane rainforests across much of New Guinea, in both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua. Prefers dense, humid primary forest and well-developed secondary forest with thick leaf litter. Often found along ravines, forested streams, and on steep slopes where soils are soft enough to probe. It spends much time in the lower understory or near the ground, moving quietly through shaded interior forest.
Altitude Range
300–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the shovel-billed kingfisher, it is unique among kingfishers for its short, broad, shovel-like bill adapted for digging in leaf litter. It is a shy, little-seen forest bird of New Guinea’s hills and lower montane zones. Males have a dark bluish tail, while females are rufous-tailed, making sexing straightforward in the field. It often forages quietly on or near the forest floor rather than perching above water like many other kingfishers.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through dense understory
Social Behavior
Typically encountered singly or in pairs and maintains territories within dense forest. Breeding behavior is poorly documented; it is presumed to form monogamous pairs like other tree kingfishers. Nesting is rarely observed and may occur in arboreal termite mounds or earthen banks, by analogy with related species.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are infrequent and subdued, consisting of soft whistles and piping notes given from shaded perches. Calls may include a short series of mellow, descending whistles at dawn or dusk.
