Kingfisher (Halcyon sancta)
Kotare

Size: 24cm, 65gm.

Description: Small, striking bright blue-green bird. Black eye and beak (which seems much too large for it). White collar with yellowish belly. Very fast direct flight. Juvenile less brightly coloured with browner belly.

Habitat: Near and around water. Lakes, rivers, edges of bush, coastlines, esturies and farmland.

Status: Protected native. Kingfishers have benefited from forest clearance and artificial perches.

Breeding: October - February. Nests in rotten trees, river banks and road cuttings. Burrow started by repeated dive bombing. 3-7 eggs, mostly incubated by female.

Where and how to photograph: Locate territorial perches or nest site and set up a hide. Very abundant on Great Barrier Island.

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