Home again – and an unexpected visitor
We are home again after 24 days on the road in South Australia, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria. I will continue posting articles and photos of my birding experiences over the coming weeks.
Sacred Kingfisher
This morning we had an unexpected visitor to our garden, a beautiful Sacred Kingfisher. While we see this species around Murray Bridge from time to time, it is an infrequent visitor to our garden. When I checked my database records I found out that the last visit was as long ago as 2000, but I have a feeling we have seen it more recently. My records are not quite up to date. A few minutes later I heard a Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoo calling, but it had gone before I could get out there to see it. We heard this species calling in many places on our recent holiday, along with several other cuckoo species.
What a splendid welcoming committee!
I have a Kingfisher nesting just over my back fence on Bulimba Creek in Brisbane. A mud hump in the fork of a tree and this year the entrance hole has been opened facing the house. I am a no knowledge bird watcher and would love any info on how to discern between female and male and any other breeding info anyone can provide. Thankyou
Hi there Gordon,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
I am assuming you are talking about the Sacred Kingfisher as shown in the photo.
Male: crown dark blue-green, mask black, wings and tail peacock blue, back green, collar and underparts buff-white.
Female: greener above, collar and underparts whiter.
Habitat: open forests and woodlands, margins of rivers, lakes and swamps, mangroves, parks and gardens.
Breeding season: September to March
Eggs: 3-4 white rounded on debris in a tree hollow, termite nest or tunnel in a bank.
Can I suggest you access the internet for more information or visit your local library and check out a bird field guide.