Rufous-bellied Kookaburra

The Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, known scientifically as Dacelo gaudichaud, is a distinctive member of the kingfisher family. This species, named after the French botanist Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupré, is a smaller kookaburra, weighing approximately 143 grams and measuring about 28 centimeters in length. It is adorned with a black cap and blue-tinged wings, while its underparts and tail feathers are a pale, rufous color. A notable feature is its white bill, which sets it apart from other kookaburras that typically have black bills.

Identification Tips

Adult Rufous-bellied Kookaburras can be identified by their white bills, in contrast to the dark-grey bills of juveniles. The tail feathers also offer a clue to the bird's sex; males have blue tail feathers, whereas females and immature birds display rufous tails.

Habitat

This species is unique among kookaburras for its preference for dense rainforests, as opposed to the open country habitats favored by its relatives.

Distribution

The Rufous-bellied Kookaburra is widely distributed throughout the forests of lowland New Guinea.

Behaviour

Unlike other kookaburras, the Rufous-bellied Kookaburra does not form cooperative breeding family groups but lives singly or in pairs when breeding. They are known for their direct and swift flight, often darting from perches to catch large insects from trees. Despite their size, they are agile fliers, capable of navigating the dense rainforest with sharp twists and turns. They occasionally hunt small vertebrates and are known to be aggressively territorial, with males vigorously defending their territories of 2 to 2.5 hectares.

Breeding

Breeding typically occurs from May to October, with pairs laying two white eggs. The young do not fully disperse until February, and pairs do not attempt a second brood within a year. Rufous-bellied Kookaburras nest in termite mounds, similar to their larger relatives.

Similar Species

While similar in appearance to other kookaburras, the Rufous-bellied Kookaburra can be distinguished by its smaller size and white bill.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Rufous-bellied Kookaburra primarily consists of large insects, with less frequent consumption of small vertebrates compared to larger woodland kookaburras.

Conservation status

The Rufous-bellied Kookaburra is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline.