This kingfisher has a shining blue back and long white tail feathers. It moves from New Guinea to northeastern Australia, where it nests in ground termite mounds.
The upperparts are iridescent blue and the underparts range from orange to white. It has a white rump, two long tail feathers, a red-orange bill, and orange-yellow legs.
A three-year study at Iron Range National Park recorded arrival from New Guinea after the first major rains and nesting exclusively in terrestrial termite mounds. Usually one brood was raised; a second clutch was recorded when the first attempt failed early.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.