There is a white spot in front of the eye and a broad black band on the side of the head.

The Vanuatu kingfisher mainly eats insects, especially beetles, and will also take spiders and small lizards.

When it spots something it flies into the air or dives down to the ground or a tree trunk to catch it.

The breeding season is mostly from November to February with eggs laid in December.

The birds mainly inhabit dense rainforests in the interior of the islands, particularly above 200 m (660 ft).