Sacred Kingfishers (Todiramphus sanctus) are native to New Zealand and found throughout in a wide range of habitats including forests, river margins, farmland, lakes estuaries and rocky coastlines; anywhere where there is water or open country with adjacent elevated perches.

There are eight subspecies in Australia, New Caledonia, the Loyalty, Lord Howe Norfolk and Kermadec Islands and New Zealand. The New Zealand subspecies is vagans. Side note as I’ve often wondered – The Kookaburra in Australia is a type of tree kingfisher.

I only remember ever seeing kingfishers around the back of the Otago Peninsula, Hoopers inlet etc. I think they’re really beautiful. When I spotted this one was right about when my last camera battery ran out of juice, typical. I plan to go back for a redo.

Anyway, NZ bird online has an interesting profile on the kingfisher that you should check out. 🙂

Thanks for visiting. xx