The Torresian kingfisher is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae. It is found in southern New Guinea and in Australia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, mangroves, and plantations. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the collared kingfisher.
Region
Australasia
Typical Environment
Occurs across coastal northern Australia, including the Kimberley, Top End, Gulf of Carpentaria, and Cape York Peninsula, and extends into southern New Guinea and nearby islands. It is strongly associated with mangrove forests but also uses adjacent coastal woodlands, river margins, and forest edges. The species readily occupies anthropogenic habitats such as plantations and semi-rural areas with scattered trees. It is most common at low elevations and along tidal creeks, mudflats, and sheltered bays.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Formerly treated as part of the Collared Kingfisher complex, the Torresian kingfisher is now recognized as a distinct species. It often nests in arboreal termite mounds or tree cavities and defends territories with loud, ringing calls. Despite the name 'kingfisher', it frequently hunts away from open water, taking prey from mangroves, forest edges, and even plantations.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with direct, purposeful flights between perches
Social Behavior
Typically encountered singly or in pairs, maintaining well-defined territories. Pairs nest in tree cavities or arboreal termite mounds, excavating chambers within soft material. Both sexes share incubation and chick-rearing duties, and adults use prominent perches to watch for intruders.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include loud, ringing piping notes and rattling series delivered from exposed perches. Calls carry far over mangroves and coastal woodlands and are often the first clue to its presence.
Plumage
Bright blue-green upperparts with clean white underparts and a contrasting white collar; plumage appears glossy in good light. A dark eye-line runs through the lores, and the wings and tail are rich blue. Bill is large and heavy, suited to taking crabs and small vertebrates.
Diet
Predominantly takes large insects, small crabs, and other crustaceans, as well as small fish, lizards, and frogs. Hunts by sallying from exposed perches to the ground, mudflats, or shallow water. It may hammer larger prey against a branch before swallowing. Opportunistic near intertidal zones, especially at low tide when crabs are accessible.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along mangrove edges, tidal creeks, and mudflats, as well as forest margins and clearings. Also uses fence lines, powerlines, and open perches in plantations or semi-urban areas near water.
