# Sacred Kingfisher

> Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus). The sacred kingfisher uses mangroves, open woodland and river valleys; movement in some populations makes date and locality useful.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/todiramphus-sanctus/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/todiramphus-sanctus/
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**Review status:** This guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

## Quick answer

The Sacred Kingfisher (*Todiramphus sanctus*) is a bird in the family Alcedinidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Maluku. Diet: predator of small animals: insects, crustaceans, small reptiles; sometimes fish; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Todiramphus sanctus* |
| Indonesian name | Cekakak Suci |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Observation records | Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Maluku |
| Taxonomic group | Coraciiformes |
| GBIF records | 4,509 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2475802) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — predator of small animals: insects, crustaceans, small reptiles; sometimes fish · [BirdLife Australia — Birds in Backyards](https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Todiramphus-sanctus) |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt) |

## What is the Sacred Kingfisher?

Sacred Kingfisher refers to Todiramphus sanctus, in the genus Todiramphus, family Alcedinidae, and order Coraciiformes. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/2475802)

## What is known about the Sacred Kingfisher?

The sacred kingfisher uses mangroves, open woodland and river valleys; movement in some populations makes date and locality useful.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todiramphus%20sanctus)

## How many Indonesian records name the Sacred Kingfisher?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 4,509 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2475802&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Maluku. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2475802&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## How can you observe the Sacred Kingfisher?

Record the date, broad location, voice and visible plumage without approaching nests or young. A clear, distant photograph is more useful than disturbing a bird for a closer view. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

## Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Sacred Kingfisher with Cerulean Kingfisher, Rainbow Bee-eater, Blue-tailed Bee-eater. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

## Scientific classification of the Sacred Kingfisher

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Genus | *Todiramphus* |
| Species | *Todiramphus sanctus* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Common questions about the Sacred Kingfisher

### What is the scientific name of the Sacred Kingfisher?

The scientific name of the Sacred Kingfisher is *Todiramphus sanctus*, in the family Alcedinidae and the order Coraciiformes. In Indonesian it is called Cekakak Suci.

### What kind of animal is the Sacred Kingfisher?

The Sacred Kingfisher is a bird in the family Alcedinidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a predator of small animals: insects, crustaceans, small reptiles; sometimes fish.

### Where does the Sacred Kingfisher live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Sacred Kingfisher summarised in this guide mainly come from Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Maluku. That list is not a complete range map.

### What does the Sacred Kingfisher eat?

The Sacred Kingfisher is a predator of small animals: insects, crustaceans, small reptiles; sometimes fish. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: [BirdLife Australia — Birds in Backyards](https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Todiramphus-sanctus).

### How does the Sacred Kingfisher reproduce?

The Sacred Kingfisher reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352).

### Is the Sacred Kingfisher nocturnal?

The cited source records the Sacred Kingfisher as diurnal (active by day). Source: [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt).

See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/).

### What is the scientific classification of the Sacred Kingfisher?

Scientific classification of the Sacred Kingfisher: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Coraciiformes, family Alcedinidae, genus *Todiramphus*, species *Todiramphus sanctus*.

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

### Is the Sacred Kingfisher endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Sacred Kingfisher is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2475802), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Sacred Kingfisher is a protected species, consult the current national list of [protected species](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/protected/) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office).

## Sources & references

1. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/2475802)
2. [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2475802&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)
3. [iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/2464)
4. [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todiramphus%20sanctus)
5. [BirdLife Australia — Birds in Backyards](https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Todiramphus-sanctus)
6. [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352)
7. [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt)
8. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Keep exploring

- [Cerulean Kingfisher](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/alcedo-coerulescens/)
- [Rainbow Bee-eater](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/merops-ornatus/)
- [Blue-tailed Bee-eater](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/merops-philippinus/)
- [Dollarbird](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/eurystomus-orientalis/)
- [Freckle-breasted Woodpecker](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/dendrocopos-analis/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Sacred Kingfisher. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/todiramphus-sanctus/