[1] The Mangareva kingfisher has a cream-coloured head and neck, with blue ear-coverts, a white chin and frequently a rufous band across the breast.

Hunting takes place from elevated positions, particularly in coconut plantations with open understory and exposed ground.

Breeding takes place primarily from September to January in nest cavities excavated from dead and decaying coconut palms.

The species is currently classified as critically endangered by the IUCN due to the very small population size and heavily restricted distribution.

[1] The main threats contributing to the species' decline are thought to be predation by cats on nestlings, food competition with rats, a lack of suitable nesting trees (particularly old coconut palms), and generally favourable hunting habitat, as it prefers landscapes cleared with regular burning, a practice that is seeing less use.