14 |
Laughing KookaburraAlternative names: "Brown Kingfisher", "Great Kingfisher", "Giant Kingfisher", "Laughing Jackass", "Bushman's Clock", "Settler's Clock" Aboriginal name: "gugurrgaagaa" [gamilaraay, yuwaalaraay] Size: 40-47 cm |
|
|
Habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
Laughing Kookaburras are large kingfishers endemic to Australia. They are found naturally along the entire east of the Australian continent. Race "minor" is found on the Cape York peninsula, while race "novaeguineae" populates the rest of eastern QLD and NSW plus all of VIC and the south-eastern corner of SA. In addition to these, populations have been introduced to the south-western corner of WA, Kangaroo Island off Adelaide, SA, and Tasmania. In good years the inland populations disperse further towards the centre, in the south-east for example then living all over the Murray-Darling Basin, including the Paroo River catchment.
Laughing Kookaburras are usually found in open forest and woodland. They adapt well to the presence of humans and are also found on farms and in gardens and urban parks.
|
|
Sightings |
Laughing Kookaburras are the bosses of the bush. Noone, not even birds much larger than they, will meddle with them. When a Kookaburra comes onto the scene, even Australian Ravens and Whistling Kites call it a day.
Laughing Kookaburras were frequent visitors to our place 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW. However, 20 km east of Narrabri our place is visited less frequently. A family stays in the neighbourhood, a short distance away.
Laughing Kookaburras are also found along the Australian east coast; seen by us in various locations ranging from Sydney to Urunga and Dorrigo, NSW.
|
|
Photos |
Not the photos you want? Or are you after even better quality? Have a look here.
Here a close-up portrait of a "sausage thief" in Gosford,
kindly contributed by Y. English
Frontal view of a Laughing Kookaburra
Near-frontal view of a bird following the observer
Lateral view of a Laughing Kookaburra
Laughing Kookaburra displaying its crest
Laughing Kookaburra hunting off a perch
This bird is seen issuing the rolling sound before the big
cackle starts
The one on the left told a joke, then both started laughing...
these two made a racket that could be heard half a kilometre away
Family of Laughing Kookaburras in the top of a dead tree
Laughing Kookaburra twin share
This immature Laughing Kookaburra was honing its hunting
skills when observed by us
Here a bit of a rarity: Two slightly different views of an albino Laughing Kookaburra seen 20 km south-east of Narrabri, NSW; locals from the area where the bird was seen report that there appears to be a clan which regularly produces albinos. Another albino was later seen by us in the township of Narrabri
|
|
Breeding information |
| Breeding season: Aug - Dec | Eggs: 2 - 4 | Incubation period: 23 - 25 days | Fledging age: 32 - 37 days |
|
|
Nest |
| Type: Tree hollow | Material: N/A | Height above ground: 3 - 10 m |
Instead of tree hollows Laughing Kookaburras sometimes also use arboreal termite nests for nesting. They do not line their nests.
View of the entrance to a Laughing Kookaburra's nest hollow
(photo courtesy of R. Druce)
Here the owner of the nest (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
In this tree a pair of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos
makes use of the presence of Laughing Kookaburras; the large
opening is used by the kookaburras, the smaller one in the upper
left corner by the cockatoos
Most Laughing Kookaburras choose nesting hollows with very
wide openings; however, this one is barely wide enough for a
bird to enter and the hollow inside must be wider than the opening
|
|
Eggs |
| Size: 45 x 36 mm | Colour: White | Shape: Rounded |
|
|
Behaviour |
| Social behaviour: Territorial | Mobility: Sedentary | Elementary unit: Family clan |
We once noticed how a Laughing Kookaburra called its mates for help when a Whistling Kite came onto the scene. Together the 10-12 Kookaburras hustled the big raptor out of their territory.
|
|
Food |
Laughing Kookaburras are versatile hunters on land. They will take anything from snakes and lizards to mice, large insects and chicks of other bird species. They are feared by other bird species in the bush.





























