Laughing Kookaburra

The Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) is a robust member of the kingfisher family, known for its iconic laughter-like call. It has a white or cream-colored head adorned with a dark brown eye-stripe, while its upperparts are predominantly dark brown with a distinctive mottled light-blue patch on the wing coverts. The underparts are cream-white, and the tail is barred with rufous and black. Both male and female exhibit similar plumage.

Identification Tips

This largest kingfisher species can be identified by its hefty bill, prominent brown eyes, and the unique pattern of its plumage. The male and female are similar in appearance, though the female is generally larger. The heavy bill is black on top and bone-colored on the bottom, and the bird has a dark eye-stripe that sets it apart from the blue-winged kookaburra.

Habitat

The Laughing Kookaburra is found in a variety of habitats including dry eucalypt forests, woodlands, city parks, and gardens. It requires tree holes for nesting and is often seen in areas where the understory is open or grassy.

Distribution

Native to eastern mainland Australia, the species has been introduced to parts of New Zealand, Tasmania, and Western Australia. It occupies territories throughout the year and is considered sedentary.

Behaviour

Laughing Kookaburras live in family groups, defending their territories with their laughter-like calls. They are monogamous, often retaining the same partner for life, and may be accompanied by offspring from previous years who assist in territory defense and raising young.

Song & Calls

The bird's call is a distinctive laugh, used to establish territory and often performed in chorus at dawn and dusk. The call is a complex production, with the bird capable of producing two frequencies at once. It is a learned behavior, with young birds taught by the breeding pair.

Breeding

The species breeds in unlined tree holes or in excavated holes in arboreal termite nests. The usual clutch consists of three white eggs, incubated by both parents and helpers. The youngest chick may be killed by older siblings in times of food scarcity.

Similar Species

The Laughing Kookaburra can be distinguished from the blue-winged kookaburra by its darker eye and eye-stripe, shorter bill, and the smaller and less vibrant blue areas on its wing and rump.

Diet and Feeding

A predator of small animals, it waits on a branch and pounces on prey such as lizards, insects, worms, snakes, and mice. It is also known to snatch goldfish from garden ponds.

Conservation Status

The IUCN classifies the Laughing Kookaburra as a species of least concern due to its large range and population, with no widespread threats identified. However, there has been a noted decline in sightings in recent years, warranting further observation.