Hi Des,
Certainly not a Little Kingfisher (tail too long and blue on head all wrong, quite apart from the huge out of range), although the bright blue could suggest
it. Hamish is right though. It is a Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayi) though by looking at Pizzey’s book, Newcastle would be right on the southern edge of its range. The bright blue as distinct from green & blue rules out Sacred Kingfisher, most obvious
feature (not showing in photo) are the white patch in the wing.
Philip
From: Des Clark-Walker [
Sent: Thursday, 31 March 2016 10:58 AM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Kingfisher ID?
This photo was taken by a friend in the Newcastle region. It looks like a Little Kingfisher but when I looked at the location of this bird in' Unique Australian Animals' it is supposed to be found only in
From:
Hamish Macarthur-Onslow <>
Subject: Howdy from computer land! Also, a blue, small Kingfisher-like bird
Date:
30 March 2016 at 11:12:21 PM AEDT
Hi Des,
Happy Easter! I hope that Tom got some delicious chocolatey goodness over the weekend.
How's life in Chemistry? Is everything going well? Things are quite different in the IT area. I have much to learn... but I suspect I'll barely scratch the surface before I return. I'm still working on getting access to the many systems they have in place...
but I've managed to do some good here and there.
You wouldn't happen to know what this bird is? It looks to me like a Kingfisher of some type... but to be honest, I am no expert. This was shot near Newcastle amidst one of the most mosquito-ridden swamp/mangrove area I've ever had the displeasure to visit.
Between the Eagles at Townsville tip, and the swamps of Newcastle, I can say I know some interesting places to drag Renee in the pursuit of bird shots. How she puts up with me is anyone's guess.
Anyway, I hope you and your kin are all well.
Hamish.
