Skip to main content

Laughing Kookaburra

Dacelo novaeguineae

Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-28.7384, 151.877

Field Notes

Description:

Enjoying the setting sun. Also known as the bushman's clock, laughing jackass and Kookaburra. Grows to 46cm; back, wings, tail brown tones, black markings, russet colour more evident on tail and back, tail barred with black, white underneath on chest, belly, throat and back of neck and back of head and forehead (can appear smudged with brown) brown stripe through eye area from upper mandible of large strong beak, lower beak cream to pinkish. Beautiful iridescent light blue markings on wings, males also have a small blue patch top of tail base. Call is a load raucous laugh and varied chuckle which gives it its common name. A member of the kingfisher family.

Habitat:

Found in eastern Australia and south west of WA from coastline inland, prefers open forest and woodland areas hunting for snakes, lizards, insects, rodents, occasional birds, they are known to raid nests and eat young of other species.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)

Thank you Karen. Amazing how much interest this bird attracts because of its laugh.
The laughing kookaburra gets its name from its raucous call, which sounds like manic laughter. It is the largest member of the Kingfisher family, with females weighing in at up to a pound and growing to 18 inches in length. Although native to the eucalyptus forests of eastern Australia, the kookaburra has adapted well to urbanization and can often be seen in suburban areas. https://upload.facebook.com/projectnoah/photos/a.10150595289465603.674700.10150120463815603/10154095219185603/?type=1&stream_ref=10
Photographed
PublishedApril 30, 2014

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon