The bird can be found in closed-canopy forests at elevations of 900–1,100 m (3,000–3,600 ft), and is reported to nest in holes in the ground.

It is considered a subspecies of the moustached kingfisher (Actenoides bougainvillei) by the International Ornithologists' Union[2] but some taxonomists elevate the taxon to species status.

[3][4] The Guadalcanal moustached kingfisher is named for a stripe of blue feathers from the beak to the side of the head.

In 2015 a male bird was captured and photographed for the first time in the forests of Guadalcanal.

[5][6][7] The bird was then killed for scientific study to obtain a set of molecular and morphological data.