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Laughing Kookaburra

Dacelo novaeguineae

Least Concern
Longueur
43,0 cm
Envergure
65,0 cm
Poids
340,0 g
Famille
Alcedinidae
Ordre
Coraciiformes

À propos

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
Envergure 65,0 cm 25.6 in
Poids 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.

Bec

Very large, heavy, dark upper mandible and pale lower mandible

Habitat & Range

Eucalyptus forests, woodland, and suburban gardens throughout eastern and southwestern Australia.

Répartition géographique

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.

Statut de conservation

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Comportement et reproduction

Nidification

Nest type: CV. Incubation: 24-29 days. Fledging: 32-40 days.

Taille de la couvée

1-5

Son

Chant

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.

Taxonomie

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Ordre Coraciiformes (Kingfishers & Rollers)
Famille Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
Genus Dacelo
Espèces 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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Présent Not recorded
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countries highlighted

External Databases

Foire aux questions

What does the Laughing Kookaburra eat?
Insects, lizards, snakes, small mammals, birds, and crustaceans. A sit-and-wait predator that swoops from a perch to snatch prey from the ground.
Where does the Laughing Kookaburra live?
Eucalyptus forests, woodland, and suburban gardens throughout eastern and southwestern Australia.
Is the Laughing Kookaburra endangered?
The Laughing Kookaburra has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Laughing Kookaburra nest?
Nest type: CV. Incubation: 24-29 days. Fledging: 32-40 days.
What does the Laughing Kookaburra sound like?
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.
How big is the Laughing Kookaburra?
The Laughing Kookaburra has a body length of 43.0 cm, wingspan of 65.0 cm, weight of 340.0 g.
What order and family does the Laughing Kookaburra belong to?
The Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) belongs to the order Coraciiformes and the family Alcedinidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Alcedinidae family

Comparer

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