Fact Sheet Animal Facts

Kookaburra
The Kookaburra is one of Australias most well-known and loved birds with its famous laugh.

Species
There are two species of Kookaburra: Northern Blue-winged Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii) Southern Great Brown Kingfisher or Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo gigas) There is also a smaller subspecies of the Laughing Kookaburra: Dacelo gigas minor

Distribution
The Laughing Kookaburra is found predominantly along the eastern side and northern coast of Australia. The Blue-winged Kookaburra is found along the northern coast of Australia, roughly between Broome and Brisbane. Kookaburras are not found in the central and southern Australian deserts.

Home
Kookaburras nest in tree hollows and will return to nest in the same hollow year after year if it remains vacant. Kookaburras live in close family groups. The older siblings from previous breeding seasons remain for up to three years and help their parents. They help incubate the eggs, and feed and protect the chicks and fledglings. These caring siblings are called auxiliaries. Sometimes, kookaburra families will roost on branches. They will snuggle up closely, making them look like a long line of feathers.

Gould League 2003 www.gould.edu.au/wildlifecams/

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Territories
Kookaburras are very territorial. Each group claims a permanent area. A group may contain a single mated pair or a family group consisting of one mated pair and one or more auxiliaries. Larger family groups need, and can defend, larger territories. Each kookaburra territory must contain all the resources they need, including: At least one hole in tree or object large enough to nest in A clear area of ground in which to find food Some area of dense tree cover for a safe roosting site Enough food to support the family group The kookaburras develop a thorough knowledge of their territory. This makes it easier for them to find food.

Breeding
Kookaburras mate permanently. While the female is producing eggs, her mate helps by providing her with extra food. Kookaburras lay a clutch of two to four pure white eggs between September and December each year. Each egg is laid a day apart so only one chick is hatched each day. Incubation takes about 24 days. The kookaburra chicks are naked and blind when they hatch and need the protection of their parents and auxiliaries.

Feeding
Kookaburras spend a lot of time on the ground looking for food. To camouflage themselves against Wedge-tailed Eagles, kookaburras stand totally still and point their bills skywards so they will look like a stick from above. Their diet includes: Insects Lizards and snakes Worms Crayfish Rodents Snails Frogs Small birds (occasionally)

Gould League 2003 www.gould.edu.au/wildlifecams/

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A kookaburra kills its prey by bashing it against a perch. The kookaburra runs its meal back and forth in its beak to soften any bones. Then it throws its head back and swallows. Bones and other indigestible bits are later brought up as a food pellet.

Interesting facts
While most famous for their laugh, kookaburras have several different calls that they use at different times. Laugh song Advertises territorial ownership Only vocalization between neighbours Year round Chuckle Locates family members Year round Chuck Locates family members Breeding season. Squawk Food begging Call of submission to aggressive family members Breeding season. Soft squawk Calms breeding female Courtship Cackle Signals aggression Year round before an attack. Kooaa Warning to the group Year round

Gould League 2003 www.gould.edu.au/wildlifecams/

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Behaviours
Not in box: Kookaburra is not in nestbox. It may be foraging or it might not be breeding season. Sitting: Kookaburra is in the nestbox either sitting still or sitting on eggs. Feeding: Kookaburra is devouring food or feeding young in the nest Grooming: Kookaburra is running its beak through its feathers Exploring: Kookaburra is moving its head and looking around the nestbox. Remember, birds eyes are on the sides of their heads, not at the front so they turn their heads sideways to look at something. Nest building: Kookaburra is arranging nesting materials
References: Daniell, A. (2003) Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary Gould League (1997) The Nestbox Book, Gould League, Melbourne. Parry, Veronica A. (1970) Kookaburras, Lansdowne Press, Melbourne.

Gould League 2003 www.gould.edu.au/wildlifecams/

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