RED-BACKED KINGFISHER
Todiramphus pyrrhopygius
Length: 20–24cm Wingspan: 40–50cm
Unlike many birds in this group, the red-backed kingfisher is
often found far from water, in dry, open woodland where it
preys upon mice and large insects. This medium-sized bird is
found across Australia, but not in Tasmania, southern parts of
Victoria or in the southwest of WA.FOREST KINGFISHER
Todiramphus macleayii
Length: 18–23cm Wingspan: 34-35cm
This bird prefers to live in lightly wooded
country, as well as at the edges of fields
and beaches. It can be found from the
Top End to the Gold Coast. With its
deep-blue and pale-turquoise colouring,
it is a beautiful bird, often seen perched
on powerlines, as it watches for insects
and small lizards.YELLOW-BILLED
KINGFISHER
Syma torotoro
Length: 18–21cm Wingspan: 34–35cm
Bright orange and olive green sounds
gaudy, but the yellow-billed kingfisher
manages to pull it off. In Australia these
birds are only found on Cape York
Peninsula, where they feed on insects,
earthworms and lizards. During
the mating season, males
display by raising their
orange head-feathers to
form a crest.
AZURE KINGFISHER
Alcedo azurea
Length: 17–19cm Wingspan: 25–29cm
Similar to the little kingfisher, the
azure makes its home along the banks
of coastal and inland rivers, swamps and
mangroves. During breeding season, it
lines its nest with fish bones and scales.
Found along much of our northern and
eastern seaboards, as well as Tasmania,
this species hunts for small mammals,
reptiles, fish and frogs.NATUR E WATCH
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