# Blue-winged Kookaburra (*Dacelo leachii*) The Blue-winged Kookaburra is a cheerful bird known for its loud, laughing call. With bright blue wings and a friendly face, it loves to perch on trees and watch for tasty insects to eat. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Blue-winged Kookaburra](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Blue-winged_kookaburra_arp.jpg&width=800) Photo: Adrian Pingstone, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue-winged_kookaburra_arp.jpg) ## Appearance The Blue-winged Kookaburra has a creamy-white belly contrasted with a dark brown cap and striking sky-blue feathers on its wings. Its pale eyes give it a watchful appearance, making it distinct from other kookaburras. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Coraciiformes - **Family:** Alcedinidae - **Genus:** Dacelo ## Interesting facts - Blue-winged Kookaburras are Australia's largest species of kingfisher. - Older siblings often help their parents raise new baby kookaburras. - Their 'laugh' is a loud territory call, not a sign of happiness! - They often bash big prey against a branch to stun it before eating! ## Special abilities - **Laughter Call:** Blue-winged Kookaburra can make a loud, cackling 'laugh' because of its unique vocal cords, used for territorial calls. - **Pinpoint Predator:** Blue-winged Kookaburra can spot tiny prey from high branches thanks to its keen eyesight, helping it hunt efficiently. - **Venomous Prey Tamer:** Blue-winged Kookaburra has a strong, dagger-like beak that helps it safely subdue even dangerous snakes and lizards. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 38-46 cm - **Wingspan:** 64-70 cm - **Weight:** 0.26-0.33 kg - **Lifespan:** 12-15 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-4 - **Incubation:** 25-26 days ## Diet & Feeding These birds are hunters, eating insects, reptiles, small mammals, and even fish! - **Primary Foods:** insects, lizards, snakes, small mammals, frogs, fish - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Eastern Brown Snake (*Pseudonaja textilis*) — preys on young venomous snakes - **Eats:** [House Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-mouse) (*Mus musculus*) — hunts small rodents in its foraging areas - **Shelter:** [River Red Gum](https://www.snappit.app/explore/river-red-gum) (*Eucalyptus camaldulensis*) — often nests in hollows of tall gum trees - **Eaten by:** Wedge-tailed Eagle (*Aquila audax*) — larger raptors may occasionally prey on adults ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don’t try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Blue-winged Kookaburra? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Blue-winged Kookaburra? 38-46 cm ### What is Blue-winged Kookaburra's wingspan? 64-70 cm ### How much does Blue-winged Kookaburra weigh? 0.26-0.33 kg ### How long does Blue-winged Kookaburra live? 12-15 years ### How fast can Blue-winged Kookaburra move? 40 km/h ### What does Blue-winged Kookaburra eat? These birds are hunters, eating insects, reptiles, small mammals, and even fish! ### Where is Blue-winged Kookaburra usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [David Traylor Zoo of Emporia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/david-traylor-zoo-of-emporia) — Kansas, US · Zoo - [Living Desert Zoo and Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/living-desert-zoo-and-gardens) — California, US · Zoo ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Blue-winged Kookaburra: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-winged-kookaburra)