Laughing Kookaburra
Dacelo novaeguineae
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<birdfyi-bird slug="laughing-kookaburra"></birdfyi-bird>About
The laughing kookaburra is the largest kingfisher in the world, famous for its raucous laughing call that has become an iconic sound of the Australian bush. Despite being a kingfisher, it rarely eats fish, preferring terrestrial prey. Family groups perform chorus calls at dawn and dusk to mark their territory.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Body Length | 43.0 cm | 16.9 in |
| Wingspan | 65.0 cm | 25.6 in |
| Weight | 340.0 g | 11.99 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Brown upperparts with blue patches on the wings and rump. Creamy white head and underparts with a dark eye stripe. Dark brown tail with rufous barring.
Bill
Very large, heavy, dark upper mandible and pale lower mandible
Habitat & Range
Eucalyptus forests, woodland, and suburban gardens throughout eastern and southwestern Australia.
Geographic Range
Eastern Australia from Cape York to South Australia and Tasmania. Introduced to southwestern Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand.
Diet & Feeding
Insects, lizards, snakes, small mammals, birds, and crustaceans. A sit-and-wait predator that swoops from a perch to snatch prey from the ground.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: CV. Incubation: 24-29 days. Fledging: 32-40 days.
Clutch Size
1-5
Sound
Song
The eponymous call: a loud, rollicking laughter 'koo-koo-koo-ka-ka-ka-ka', rising then falling. Family groups call together creating a cacophony. Iconic sound of the Australian bush.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes (Kingfishers & Rollers) |
| Family | Alcedinidae (Kingfishers) |
| Genus | Dacelo |
| Species | Dacelo novaeguineae |
Names in Other Languages
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| German | Lachender Hans |
| Spanish | Cucaburra Común |
Distribution
Laughing Kookaburra has been recorded in 7 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Laughing Kookaburra eat?
Where does the Laughing Kookaburra live?
Is the Laughing Kookaburra endangered?
How does the Laughing Kookaburra nest?
What does the Laughing Kookaburra sound like?
How big is the Laughing Kookaburra?
What order and family does the Laughing Kookaburra belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Alcedinidae family