BirdWeather - a living library of bird vocalizations

Shop
News
About
Explore

Log in
Create Account

Log in
Create Account

Sacred Kingfisher

Todiramphus sanctus

The sacred kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus) is a medium-sized woodland kingfisher that occurs in mangroves, woodlands, forests, and river valleys in Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the western Pacific. In New Zealand the species is also known as kotare (from the Māori kōtare).It is called “sacred” for it was said to be a holy bird for Polynesians, who believed it to have control over the waves. Likewise, the local subspecies of collared kingfisher and other kingfishers in the southwestern Pacific were ascribed venerable power over the ocean.

Read more on Wikipedia

Photo credit: fir0002 flagstaffotos [at] gmail.com Canon 20D + Canon 400mm f/5.6 L

BirdWeather

BirdWeather is powered by BirdNET