Sacred Kingfisher

Todiramphus sanctus

This Sacred Kingfisher has just been assessed for injuries before confining it to a small lined cage.
The bird had no apparent injuries, but it's keel bone (breast bone) was very prominent which indicated malnourishment.
The bird also displayed neurological problems. Sadly the bird died the following day.

DESCRIPTION

Male: Crown dark blue-green, mask black, wings and tail peacock blue, black and green. Collar and underparts variable shades of buff to white.

Female: Greener above, collar and underparts whiter.

Juveniles: Colours are similar to female but duller.

The Sacred Kingfisher is common throughout most of Australia, but is absent around the inland areas of Western Australia and the south eastern corner of the Northern Territory. In the southern areas of Australia the kingfisher is a seasonal visitor, migrating there for summer breeding. Sub-races are also found on Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands and in Indonesia. The Sacred Kingfisher prefers open forests and woodlands featuring water courses such as creeks and rivers, lakes, mangroves, seashores and garden ponds. Breeding season stretches from August to March, but predominately in September to January and there are often two broods in the one season, 3 - 4 eggs per brood. The nest is made in a tree hollow, tunnel in an arboreal termite nest or in the earth bank (eg: beside a creek bed). The eggs are incubated for 23 - 25 days and the young start to fly at around 35 days old.