Laughing Kookaburra

More Information

Physical Description

Laughing kookaburras have a white chest and head, dark brown wings, a brown back, brown stripes around their eyes, and a reddish-colored tail with black bars. They often kill their prey by grasping them with their beak and striking them against their perch. These birds live in territorial groups of three or more birds. Mature offspring feed and protect their siblings before moving on to nests of their own.

Interesting Fact 1

Laughing kookaburras feed on snakes, lizards, insects, and rodents—a diet that made it popular with Australian settlers.

Interesting Fact 2

They received their name—as well as their nickname, “bushman’s clock”—from their laughter-like call, which often comes at early dawn and dusk.

Interesting Fact 3

Only the dominant male and female breed in each territorial group, but the entire group helps rear their chicks.