This kingfisher is endemic to Bohol, Leyte and Samar in the central Philippines. It uses forested streams and river edges, where a low perch gives it a view of the water.
The breast and flanks are rich blue, while the cheek, throat and belly are cream-coloured.
It takes small fish and crabs and has also been recorded eating insects. From a low branch beside a stream, it dives for prey and returns to its perch.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.