Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Todiramphus chloris
Profile last updated:
12 Feb 2018
Description
The Collared Kingfisher is a medium-sized kingfisher (body length of 23-27 cm) with a large, black kookaburra-like bill. These Kingfishers are dull olive-green above and white on the underbody, with a dark brownish-olive cap, white spot on the lores (between the bill and the eye) and a broad white collar on the neck that extends to join the white underbody. The uppertail and lower edge of the folded wings are blue. The Collared Kingfisher is easily confused with the much more common and widespread Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus. The two species have a very similar shape but the Collared Kingfisher is considerably larger and stockier, with a much longer and heavier bill. In the Collared Kingfisher the loral spot, underbody and collar are white, whereas they are buff in the Sacred, and the Sacred also has more blue on the folded wing. The Forest Kingfisher Todiramphus macleayii also occurs in the same region as the Collared but is much smaller, with a finer bill, and has strongly blue upperparts and white wing-patches (usually only obvious in flight). Birds are usually seen singly or in pairs. Its flight is swift and direct, and usually low over water or vegetation. The main call is a loud, strident, deliberate two or three note call, simialr to that of the Sacred Kingfisher.
Distribution
In Australia, the Collared Kingfisher extends around the northern coasts, from Shark Bay in northern Western Australia to the estuary of the Tweed River in far north-eastern NSW, with rare scattered records south of there, mainly south to the Clarence River. In NSW, the species is observed regularly only at Ukerebagh and nearby Cobaki Broadwater, and it breeds along the Tweed River estuary. Beyond Australia, the species is widely distributed from the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf in the Middle East, through southern and south-eastern Asia to Indonesia and New Guinea and east to the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.
Habitat and ecology
- Collared Kingfishers are virtually restricted to mangrove associations of estuaries, inlets, sheltered bays and islands, and the tidal flats and littoral zone bordering mangroves.
- They sometimes occur in terrestrial forests or woodlands bordering mangroves, where they will nest in holes in trees or in arboreal termitaria. They are sometimes seen in streets or gardens in built-up areas bordering mangrove vegetation.
- Nests are usually in holes in trunks of large, live or dead mangrove trees, though they sometimes nest in hollows or in arboreal termite nests in large eucalypts or paperbarks adjacent to mangroves or estuarine foraging habitats.
- They are often seen perched on rock walls, jetties, piles or on the ground on tidal flats. They also sometimes occur in parks and gardens along foreshores.
- Mostly take food from the ground, from the surface of mud and sand, mainly along seaward fringe of mangroves. Sometimes take food from shallow water or from air.
- The diet consists mostly of crustaceans, especially crabs, but they also take insects, small fish, and lizards. They have also been reported to occasionally take young birds.
- Breeding is usually in spring and summer, with clutches observed in NSW in September to December, and young birds from October to January. Birds usually lay three eggs, but clutches of two to four recorded. Young leave the nest about 1 month after hatching.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Clearing of old stands of mangroves for tourist.
- Loss of large terrestrial trees in vegetation bordering mangroves or foraging habitat of Collared Kingfishers containing hollows or termite nests suitable for nesting. Such loss occurs through residential and infrastructure development.
- Pollution of estuaries and accumulation of agricultural and urban herbicide and pesticide residues, and through the use of pesticides to protect tourist and residential developments..Use of pesticides may also lead to depletion of prey stocks for the Kingfisher.
- Failure to recruit sufficient old trees to the population in mangrove and adjacent forests, depriving the Kingfishers of nesting sites.
- The main threat to this species in NSW is the very small population confined to a restricted range at the southern limit of the distribution of the species. It is thus subject to declines resulting from unpredicted and random events.
Recovery strategies
A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.
Activities to assist this species
- Protect watercourses and estuaries from pollution that may affect Collared Kingfishers directly or that may reduce the abundance of their prey.
- Avoid the use of herbicides and pesticides near watercourses or that may eventually enter estuaries.
- Investigate the provision of nest-boxes in areas where tree hollows are scarce to see if they are used by Collared Kingfishers and whether they are a useful management option.
- Protect all known and potential mangrove habitat from clearing, disturbance and fragmentation, in particular protect older stands of mangroves and individual old mangrove trees. Also protect forest and woodland bordering mangroves or estuaries with individual large old trees that provide nesting habitat.
- Report records of the Collared Kingfisher south of the Tweed River to the DECCW, with a description that distinguishes from Sacred and Forest Kingfishers
Information sources
- Forshaw, J.M. and Cooper, W.T. (1985) Kingfishers and Related Birds. Alcidinidae: Halcyon to Tansiptera. Lansdowne Editions: Sydney.
- Fry, C.H., Fry, K. and Harris, A. (1992) Kingfishers, Bee-eaters & Rollers: A Handbook. Pica Press, Robertsbridge, England.
- Higgins P.J. (Ed) (1999) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 4: Parrots to Dollarbird. Oxford University Press: Melbourne.
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Fauna. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
- Schodde, R. and Tidemann, S.C. (1988) Complete Book of Australian Birds. Second edition. (Reader's Digest, Sydney)
- Strahan, R. (Ed.) (1994) Cuckoos, Nightbirds and Kingfishers of Australia. (Angus & Robertson, Sydney)
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