Laughing kookaburra
Birds
Stable
facts
Snakes, frogs, and rodents help make up the kookaburra's diet.
description
A fisher that isn't
Found in Australia and New Zealand, the laughing kookaburra is the largest member of the kingfisher family, and was once called the giant kingfisher. Most kingfishers are brightly colored, and many of them specialize in diving into streams and ponds to catch fish. The laughing kookaburra, however, is plainly colored and rarely eats fish!
Chuckle along
This bird has a very loud call that starts with a trilling sound and then becomes a shrieking "laugh" before ending with a soft chuckle. An entire family group calls at once to advertise their territory. They do most of their calling at dawn and dusk.
Helping mom
A breeding pair has a year-round territory. As the young birds grow up, they may stay around and help their parents incubate the next set of eggs, keep the new chicks warm, feed their younger siblings, and defend the territory. At about 4 years of age, the helpers leave to establish their own territories.
