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Common Name : Kookaburra (Other names include Laughing
jackass)
Scientific Name (Binomial name) x 2 : Laughing Kookaburra
(Dacelo novaeguineae) and Blue-winged Kookaburra
(Dacelo leachii)
Native to : Victoria,
New
South Wales, Queensland
and the Australian
Capital Territory
There are two main species of the Kookaburra found in Australia;
the Blue Winged Kookaburra and the more common Laughing
Kookaburra which is usually just called a Kookaburra. Two
other species of Kookaburra are found in New Guinea and
the Aru Islands. They are a type of kingfisher bird.
The Kookaburra's name comes from the Aboriginal Wiradjuri
people of New
South Wales. Their call can be heard from a long distance,
sounding like a loud belly laugh by a human.
Kookaburras are carnivorous birds that eat a varied diet
of fish, snakes, rodents, lizards, worms, beetles and other
insects. They adapt well to having their natural homes taken
over by humans, often being seen scavenging for food in
parks and back yards where people are eating. Stories of
stolen sausages and steaks from BBQs and picnic tables are
quite common in parts of Australia.
The Laughing Kookaburra is the faunal emblem for the state
of New South Wales.
Kookaburra Photos
If you would like to send in your Kookaburra photos, please
contact us
here.
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Native
Birds of Australia>> Australian kingfishers, Kookaburra
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