Diet: Frogs, reptiles, insects, small mammals, and infrequently fish
Water: Bird baths and frog ponds
ReWild Benefit: Pest control
Habitat Guide - Shelter
Natural Shelter
The Sacred Kingfisher is a spring/summer visitor to Perth. They are frequently spotted near suburban wetlands, reserves and in well vegetated gardens. Large trees and shrubs provide sheltered habitat for kingfishers as they move around the landscape in search of food and breeding sites. Keep and maintain mature trees in your garden as they provide habitat and natural nesting hollows for Sacred Kingfishers.
Sacred Kingfishers can burrow and excavate nesting burrows on riverbanks, steep escarpments, or inside termite mounds.
Novel Shelter
Below is a template and important considerations regarding nest boxes for kingfishers.
Install the box on a tall tree close to the main trunk or a thick horizontal limb five meters or higher.
Position nest boxes away from direct afternoon sun.
Nest boxes are a long-term commitment and need maintenance and repair over time.
Never use metal wire inside a box. A wooden ladder or notches in the timber is much more suitable and won’t damage claws or talons.
Chipboard boxes degrade quickly and require replacement after a year of use.
Hardier untreated timber (Jarrah) is less prone to attack by fungi, bacteria, and microorganisms.
Do not use treated timber as this can emit fumes toxic to wildlife and their young.
Maintenance is critical to ensure any resident wildlife and their offspring remain safe.
Habitat Guide - Food and Water
Providing natural sources of food
Sacred Kingfishers feed on frogs, reptiles, small mammals, and large insects including dragonflies. A garden with dense shrubs, trees, and groundcovers can provide suitable foraging habitat.
Damplands and frog ponds provide productive foraging areas for kingfishers.
Toxins from baits are travelling up the food chain as birds feed on poisoned rodents. Overtime, the toxins build up in the birds body and result in lethargy, clumsiness, paralysis, and are ultimately fatal.
If baits are required to control a rodent problem, look for the active ingredients Warfarin or Coumatetralyl as they are much less harmful to birdlife.
Providing sources of water
Sacred Kingfishers prefer to live reasonably close to water and frequently drink and bathe in bird baths and ponds.
Deep ponds are hazardous for small birds. Partially submerged rocks or logs can provide a safe avenue for a bird to leave the water if they were to fall in.
ReWild Benefits
Sacred Kingfishers help to control pest species within the ecosystem. Visit BirdLife Australia to learn more about our native birds. If you have seen one in your neighbourhood or around the home you can record your sighting on Birdata and help scientists monitor their population.
