Information for Senior Secondary

Sacred Kingfisher – Kotare

(Todiramphus Sanctus)

• Maori name is Kotare
• Order is Coracliformes, family Halcyonidae.
• These birds are common throughout the NZ coastland, woodland and forest
• Polynesians call Kingfishers ‘Sacred’ believing it controls the ocean
• Iridescent turquoise in colour with white/gold underparts make it most striking along with its distinctive strong black beak
• Females are greener and duller in colour
• Rarely are kingfishers found on the ground rather perching in a good spot to find food
• Prey is often swallowed whole and regurgitated later
• Feeds on insects, small crustaceans, fish, small rodents and reptiles
• It patiently sits on a low branch it then swoops down to grab its prey and then returns to its perch to eat much like a hawk
• Once a pair has mated they both dig the nest in a burrow in a river bank, large empty branch or similar. Which they inhabit for many years
• The mating season is around September / October
• The female lays about 5 eggs and both birds incubate the eggs and care for the young.
• They are very protective of their young
• Chicks are fed on the same food as the adults, insects, spiders and fish for about 10 days after hatching then they have to fend for themselves
• Its predators are mainly cats
• Flying into panes of glass is a real hazard
• Minors, sparrows and starlings try to steal their nests and the kingfisher become extremely aggressive often dive bombing the thief
• Kingfishers are quite solitary but breeding couples are normal
• Considered a pest for eating goldfish from the pond and catching bees
• Its call is unmusical and staccato.  It can go for hours marking out its territory