The "Laughing Kookaburra", Dacelo novaeguineae
is also called the "Laughing Jackass", or simply the "Kookaburra".
There are actually two species of Kookaburra. As well as the Laughing Kookaburra so familiar to people in the southern states of Australia,
there is a "Blue-winged Kookaburra", Dacelo leachii, which lives in eastern Queensland. The ranges of the two species overlap. This article is about the laughing Kookaburra.
At
Raptor Domain near Vivonne Bay on Kangaroo Island, Dave Irwin included
two Kookaburras in his "Birds of Prey" show. The Kookaburra is not
technically a raptor, but shares some characteristics with the raptors.
The Kookaburra
is a large Kingfisher. In the Australian Bush they do
not catch many fish because there is little water. In settled areas,
Kookaburras will certainly catch Goldfish out of garden ponds. There
also catch other pond fish, but brightly coloured fish are easier to
see.
In
the Bush, the Kookaburras eat almost any animal of the right size. This
includes venomous snakes, lizards, small birds, earthworms, insects,
mice, etc. Dave Irwin told us that a few days before we saw his show
both the Kookaburras caught and ate mice during the show. When an
animal is caught by a Kookaburra, the bird will kill the little animal
by beating it against a branch. Kookaburras that live near Humans can
become quite tame and will come for pieces of meat. The Kookaburra will
still beat the meat and make sure it is dead.
The natural range of the Kookaburra is the whole of eastern Australia, including South Australia and Kangaroo Island. They are not native to Tasmania, Western Australia or New Zealand, but have been introduced to these areas.
Kookaburras
are believed to mate for life. They breed from August to January. Not
only do the two parents share the upbringing of the new babies, but
also their offspring from the previous two years help with their
younger siblings. The nest is typically a natural hollow in a tree, or
sometimes a hole in a termite mound of the type that is in a tree.
The name "Laughing Kookaburra" comes from the cry of this bird which sounds like raucous laughter.
The Kookaburra will typically perch while looking for prey. Dave Irwin was
able to demonstrate an interesting adaption of the Kookaburra. Tree
branches often sway in the wind. The kookaburra can compensate for
minor swaying and keeps its head still so it can concentrate on looking.
Animals 
