Laughing Kookaburra

guguburra (Bundjalung name)

Dacelo novaeguineae

Songs & Calls

The chuckling voice that gives this species its name is a common and familiar sound throughout the bird’s range. The loud ‘koo-koo-koo-koo-koo-kaa-kaa-kaa’ is often sung in a chorus with other individuals. The Laughing Kookaburra also has a shorter ‘koooa. Bird call recorded by Fred Van Gessel.

Local Notes

The Laughing Kookaburra scans the garden below, head stationary even as her body

lifts and falls with the swaying perch. When my digging exposes a fat worm, she swoops and snatches, expertly dodging the hoe. Dinner! At day’s end, she sits with her well-fed family on a golden branch, calling the sun to set over this Eden we share.

by S Sorrensen

The Laughing Kookaburra is one of the larger members of the kingfisher family and recognised by its voice. Generally off-white with brown barred wings.

Identification

The Laughing Kookaburra is instantly recognisable in both plumage and voice. It is generally off-white below, faintly barred with dark brown, and brown on the back and wings.

The tail is more rufous, broadly barred with black and there is a conspicuous dark brown eye-stripe through the face. It is one of the larger members of the kingfisher family with an average size of 42cm.