The first formal description of the giant kingfisher was by the German naturalist Peter Simon Pallas in 1769 under the binomial name Alcedo maxima.

[2] The current genus Megaceryle was erected by the German naturalist Johann Jakob Kaup in 1848.

The male has a chestnut breast band and otherwise white underparts with dark flank barring.

The nest is a long horizontal tunnel that is excavated into a river bank by both sexes using their feet and bills.

[5] This large species feeds on crabs, fish, and frogs, caught by diving from a perch.