Kookaburras

The Kookaburra is a large bird, if you will a cousin of the kingfisher. It is native to New Guinea and Australia. They are mostly known for their unique call that many people mistake for loud echoing laughter from a human. Different types of Kookaburra have different calls, the renowned Laughing Kookaburra sounds almost like hysterical laughing, where as the Blue-winged Kookaburra which is slightly smaller sounds like a cackling laugh. Kookaburras are not usually found near water, but can be found in a range of habitats. You could find them in humid forests, arid savannas, but also in residential and suburban areas that have access to running water and where they can easily search for food.

Throughout Australia, the Aru Islands and New Guinea, there are four species of Kookaburras. A very unusual trait for a species with such close relatives is the competitiveness between the Blue-winged Kookaburra and the Laughing Kookaburra. In the areas where their species overlap, they are direct competitors with each other. This suggests that the respective species evolved in isolation in different areas – one in Australia and one in New Guinea – and that they possibly only came into contact again in recent geological times.

Kookaburras are carnivorous and they will eat things like mice, snakes, other small birds, lizards, insects or other raw meat – so be sure to watch your barbeques and don’t leave them unattended! Some of the Kookaburras can be quite social and not shy to take food from you.

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