Hoopoe vs Laughing Kookaburra

Upupa epops comparé à Dacelo novaeguineae

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Hoopoe Laughing Kookaburra
Nom scientifique Upupa epops Dacelo novaeguineae
Ordre Bucerotiformes Coraciiformes
Famille Upupidae Alcedinidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur 28,0 cm (11.0 in) 43,0 cm (16.9 in)
Envergure 46,0 cm (18.1 in) 65,0 cm (25.6 in)
Poids 62,0 g (2.19 oz) 340,0 g (11.99 oz)
Régime alimentaire Insects and larvae probed from the ground, especially beetle grubs, crickets, and caterpillars. Occasionally takes … Insects, lizards, snakes, small mammals, birds, and crustaceans. A sit-and-wait predator that swoops from a …
Taille de la couvée 2-12 1-5
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Hoopoe 28,0 cm
Laughing Kookaburra 43,0 cm
Envergure
Hoopoe 46,0 cm
Laughing Kookaburra 65,0 cm
Poids
Hoopoe 62,0 g
Laughing Kookaburra 340,0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Hoopoe only

Laughing Kookaburra only

Hoopoe

Open woodland, orchards, vineyards, parkland, and grassland with bare or sparsely vegetated ground for foraging.

Laughing Kookaburra

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

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Song & Call Comparison

Hoopoe

Chant

The eponymous call: a soft, far-carrying 'oop-oop-oop', repeated in triplets or quadruplets. Given from a hidden perch; mellow and flute-like. Contact call is a thin 'cherrr'.

Laughing Kookaburra

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.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Hoopoe

Europe, Asia, and Africa. Northern populations are migratory. A widespread species across the Old World.

Laughing Kookaburra

Eastern Australia from Cape York to South Australia and Tasmania. Introduced to southwestern Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand.

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Statut de conservation

Least Concern

Hoopoe

Least Concern

Laughing Kookaburra

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How to Tell Them Apart

Hoopoe

Plumage

Pinkish-brown body with dramatically barred black and white wings and tail. Long, erectile, fan-shaped crest tipped with black. Undulating butterfly-like flight.

Bec

Long, thin, slightly decurved bill for probing soil

Laughing Kookaburra

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

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About These Birds

Hoopoe

The hoopoe is one of the most distinctive birds in the Old World with its striking zebra-patterned wings and extravagant crest. It is the national bird of Israel and features prominently in mythology from ancient Egypt to the Quran. Hoopoe nests produce a foul-smelling secretion that deters predators.

Laughing Kookaburra

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.

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Related Comparisons

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