Dacelo Novaeguineae

Description

The Laughing Kookaburra is the largest of the kingfisher family, but unlike most of its relatives, it is sedentary and occupies the same territories the year round. The Laughing Kookaburra has dark brown wing plumage and a white head and underside. Dark brown eye stripes run across its face and its upper bill is black. Its reddish-coloured tail is patterned with black bars.

Distribution

Found on the east coast of Australia, Tasmania and southern Western Australia.

Oakvale Distribution Maps png Laughing Kookaburra
Laughing Kookaburra Distribution Map

Lifespan

20 years.

Size

40 - 45cm in length and weights up to 300g.

Diet

Kookaburras are not particularly selective feeders - their diet of snakes, lizards, rodents and the odd small bird is probably best known, but they live mainly on various insects and other invertebrates.

Habitat

Woodlands and open forests.

Breeding

Kookaburras form permanent pairs and take so long to rear their young to independence that more than one clutch a season is unlikely. Their nesting season starts in September and finishes in January. They nest a large cavity in almost any object big enough to contain an adult, usually a hole in a tree or termite mound.

Incubation begins with the first egg laid of up to 4. Incubation and feeding of young are carried out by all members of the group.

Voice

Chuckling; loud laughing made by group to claim territory.

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