kookaburra

The kookaburra is a group of four large kingfishers in the genus Dacelo, native to Australia and New Guinea. The best known is the laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae); others are the blue-winged (D. leachii), rufous-bellied (D. gaudichaud), and golden-crowned (D. chrysopterus).

They measure about 40–46 cm in length, with stout bodies and a large bill. Plumage ranges by species, but all are brown-olive above and pale below, with blue wing patches in the blue-winged form.

The birds are famous for their loud, rolling calls, especially at dawn and dusk, which sound like human laughter and serve territorial and social purposes.

Kookaburras hunt from perches, feeding on large insects, reptiles, frogs, small mammals, and occasionally fish. They typically forage in pairs or family groups and can be territorial.

Nests are tree hollows; clutches usually consist of 2–4 eggs. The female incubates with help from the mate; fledging occurs after about 5–6 weeks, with young often remaining with parents for months.

Distribution covers woodland and suburban areas of eastern Australia and New Guinea, with regional variation among species. They are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, reflecting stable, adaptable populations.