Torresian Kingfisher

1. Overall greener and browner appearance than other Australian kingfishers

2. White spot in front of the eye that does not extend as a supercilium

3. Almost exclusively found in mangroves and adjacent coastal areas

The Torresian Kingfisher’s diet reflects its coastal habitat, consisting primarily of crustaceans (such as crabs and shrimps) and small fish, including mudskippers. Their hunting strategy involves perching motionlessly before swooping down to snatch prey from mud, shallow water, or the ground. Breeding occurs from September to February, with pairs often raising two broods per season. Nests are excavated in tree hollows (about half of all nests) or arboreal termite mounds (about 43%), with both partners participating in excavation. The tunnel is 15–90 cm long, ending in a nesting chamber where the female lays 2–5 eggs (typically three). Both parents share incubation and feeding duties, with fledging after about 29–30 days.

In Australia, Torresian Kingfishers are habitat specialists of mangrove forests, mudflats, and adjacent coastal areas, from the Pilbara in Western Australia, across the northern coastline, to southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales. They are particularly common around inlets, estuaries, and tidal flats, but may occasionally venture a short distance inland along mangrove-fringed rivers. These birds are rarely found far from mangroves, typically perching on exposed branches or roots 1–3 meters above the ground or water. They are most active and vocal at dawn and dusk, and are best observed during low tide when they hunt on exposed mudflats.