It is endemic to the Philippines found on the islands of Luzon, Mindoro, Masbate and the Western Visayas region.

Ebird describes it as "A dazzling little kingfisher of streams with vegetated banks from the lowlands to low elevations in the mountains.

It perches on rocks and overhanging branches and foliage and dives steeply into the water to catch its prey.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature recognizes the Northern and Southern indigo-banded kingfisher as separate species thus has an assessment for each.

Conservation actions proposed is further surveys especially for the more threatened Southern subspecies to be able to better understand its population and biology.