Laughing Kookaburra

(Dacelo Novaeguineae)

Laughing Kookaburras are found throughout eastern Australia and are instantly recognizable by their wonderful call – it really does sound as if they are laughing – and their beautiful plumage.

  • Photo credit: Great Ocean Photography i
  • Photo credit: Great Ocean Photography i
  • Photo credit: Great Ocean Photography i

DESCRIPTION

One of the larger members of the kingfisher family, they are generally off white in colour below, faintly barred with dark brown stripes, and brown on the back and wings. The tails are slightly rufous, broadly barred with black. They have a conspicuous dark brown eye stripe through their face.

Trees are an essential part of their habitat, and where laughing kookaburras are most likely to be found.  They feed mostly on insects, worms, crustaceans,  small snakes, mammals, frogs and birds, pouncing on their prey from a suitable perch. Larger prey is killed by being bashed against the ground or tree branch.

 It is thought that laughing kookaburras pair for life, making their nests in tree hollows. Both parents share incubation duties, and both care for the young with help from offspring of the previous one or two years. You will be able to hear the strident call of these large, cheerful birds as they freely come and go from the grounds of Wildlife Wonders.

Want to see laughing kookaburra s at Wildlife Wonders? Book here!

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