ExploreBirds

Laughing Kookaburra

Dacelo novaeguineae

The Laughing Kookaburra is a big, friendly bird known for its loud, laughing call! They love to sit on tree branches and watch for tasty insects and small animals to eat.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Laughing Kookaburra is a stocky bird with a creamy white head featuring a distinct dark brown eye-stripe and a large, powerful black bill. Its back is streaked brown, contrasting with blue patches on its wings and a lighter, whitish belly.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCoraciiformesFamilyAlcedinidaeGenusDacelo
Laughing Kookaburra
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Laughing Kookaburra

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Kookaburras are the largest species of kingfisher, despite not eating many fish!

Their famous 'laugh' is a social call often heard at dawn and dusk.

They use their powerful bill like a spear, diving from branches to catch ground prey.

Young kookaburras often stay with their parents to help raise the next generation of chicks.

Special abilities

Ability

Territory Teller

Laughing Kookaburra can produce a loud, cackling 'laugh' that helps them boldly announce their territory to other birds.

Ability

Snake Sniper

Laughing Kookaburra has keen eyesight and a strong, pointed bill that helps them accurately snatch and subdue snakes.

Ability

Prey Basher

Laughing Kookaburra can stun or kill larger prey by smashing it against a hard surface before eating it whole.

Measurements & details

Length
40-47 cm
Wingspan
65-80 cm
Weight
0.3-0.5 kg
Lifespan
15-20 years
Top Speed
45 km/h
Clutch Size
2-4
Incubation
24-26 days
Migration Distance
0 km

Diet & Feeding

A skilled hunter that eats small animals, insects, and occasionally other birds.

Primary Foods

  • Snakes
  • Lizards
  • Insects
  • Rodents
  • Frogs
  • Small birds

Foraging Method

  • Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

King Brown Snake

Pseudechis australis

Known for preying on venomous snakes.

hunts

Lace Monitor

Varanus varius

Preys on juvenile monitors and other lizards.

eaten by

Wedge-tailed Eagle

Aquila audax

Can be prey for larger, powerful raptors.

shelters

Southern Blue Gum

Eucalyptus globulus

Uses hollows in these large trees for nesting.

Traits

Also known as

Laughing Bird

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance, and don't try to touch or feed them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Laughing Kookaburra?

40-47 cm

What is Laughing Kookaburra's wingspan?

65-80 cm

How much does Laughing Kookaburra weigh?

0.3-0.5 kg

How long does Laughing Kookaburra live?

15-20 years

How fast can Laughing Kookaburra move?

45 km/h

What does Laughing Kookaburra eat?

A skilled hunter that eats small animals, insects, and occasionally other birds.

Where is Laughing Kookaburra usually found?

Forests

How does Laughing Kookaburra hunt?

Ambush

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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