The Forest Kingfisher is a striking blue and white kingfisher found across northern and eastern Australia, including parts of northern New South Wales during the warmer months.
It is recognised by its bright turquoise blue upperparts, clean white underparts and large dark bill, giving it a crisp, high contrast appearance. Forest Kingfishers favour open woodland, forest edges and well treed areas rather than waterways, feeding mainly on insects, small reptiles and other ground dwelling prey.
Often seen perched motionless before making a swift drop to the ground, it is a confident and vocal species with a sharp, metallic call.
Photographed in Taronga Zoo, NSW