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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Alcedinidae
  4. ›
  5. Syma
  6. ›
  7. Yellow-billed Kingfisher
Yellow-billed Kingfisher
Photo · Broinowski, Gracius J.

BirdUp · Species

Yellow-billed Kingfisher

Syma torotoroLesson, RP, 1827

Updated 21 March 2026

Origin: Native
Order
CORACIIFORMES
Family
Alcedinidae
Genus
Syma

At a glance

The Yellow-billed Kingfisher is a medium-sized bird, about 19–21 cm long, native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
19–21 cm
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Local
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Yellow-billed Kingfisher look like?

The Yellow-billed Kingfisher is a medium-sized bird, about 19–21 cm long and weighing 30–52 g.

The yellow-billed kingfisher (Syma torotoro) is a medium-sized tree kingfisher.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
19–21 cm
Weight
30–52 g
Wingspan
29 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Yellow-billed Kingfisher?

The Yellow-billed Kingfisher is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Yellow-billed Kingfisher eat?

The Yellow-billed Kingfisher feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

4 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Yellow-billed Kingfisher live in Australia?

The Yellow-billed Kingfisher is native to Australia, recorded across 2 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingNew Guinea and satellites and north-east Australia

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident

1 region recorded