Forest Kingfisher

1. Bright white spot in front of the eye (not extending over the eye)

2. Large white wing panels visible in flight

3. Multi-toned blue upperparts with pure white underparts

Forest Kingfishers hunt a wide range of prey, including insects, spiders, small lizards, frogs, and occasionally small snakes. They use a sally-pouncing technique, watching from a perch before diving to seize prey, then returning to the perch to kill it by striking it against a branch. Breeding occurs from August to February, often with two broods per season. Nests are typically short tunnels excavated in arboreal termite nests, 4–12 meters above ground. Both parents, and sometimes helpers, incubate the eggs and feed the young. Fledglings are fed for about a month after leaving the nest.

Forest Kingfishers are found in open forests, woodlands, forest edges, lightly wooded farmland, and suburban parks across northern and eastern Australia. They favour areas with prominent perches and are partial migrants in southern Queensland, increasing in number during spring and summer. In the north, they are present year-round, with some birds migrating to New Guinea after breeding. Look for them on power lines, dead branches, and fence posts, scanning for prey.