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The Kookaburra is the largest of the kingfisher family. It is one of the most familiar Australian birds and is known for its laughing call. There are two common species found in Australia, the Laughing Kookaburra and the Blue-winged Kookaburra.
Description
Description
The Kookaburra grows up to 45cm in length and weighs up to 500 grams, with females tending to be larger than the males. Kookaburras have predominantly brown and white feathers. The Laughing Kookaburra has a brown eye-stripe. The Blue-winged Kookaburras lack the brown eye-stripe, have a blue tail and a large amount of blue in the wing. Kookaburras have a short neck, large head, broad tail and heavy beak. They have grey legs and feet and the bill is dark above and yellowish below.
Diet
Diet
Kookaburras enjoy a carnivorous diet. They feed mostly on insects, worms and crustaceans, although small snakes, mammals, frogs and birds may also be eaten.
Habitat
Habitat
Laughing Kookaburras are found throughout eastern Australia. They have been introduced to Tasmania, the extreme south-west of Western Australia, and New Zealand. The Blue-winged Kookaburra is found in in central northern and north-western Australia, with some overlap in Queensland, although this species is more coastal. Kookaburras enjoy living in open woodlands, paperbark swamps, timber on watercourses, clearings, canefields and farmlands.
Link to Aboriginal Culture
Link to Aboriginal Culture
The Noongar name, Kaa Kaa, comes from the Kookaburra’s laughing call. According to one Aboriginal story from the eastern states of Australia, the kookaburras' morning chorus was a signal for the sky people to light the great fire of the sun that illuminates and warms the earth.
Kookoo Kookaburra - by Gregg Dreise
Kookoo Kookaburra - by Gregg Dreise
Kookaburra Call
Kookaburra Call
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