The nominate form on Guadalcanal is a small kingfisher with deep rufous-orange underparts. It waits for prey in forest.
The nominate Guadalcanal form is dark purple-blue above and deep rufous-orange below. Its bill is mainly black, with orange at the base.
The nominate Guadalcanal form is described as forest-based and as a sit-and-wait predator that catches prey from a perch.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.