Laughing Kookaburraワライカワセミ

Dacelo novaeguineaeLC— Least Concern

The laughing kookaburra is a large terrestrial kingfisher native to eastern Australia, instantly recognizable by its raucous, laughter-like call used to declare territory. Despite belonging to the kingfisher family, it hunts mainly on land, taking insects, small reptiles, and even snakes with its heavy bill. Common and widespread, it has also been introduced to Tasmania, Western Australia, and New Zealand.

Laughing Kookaburra (reference photo)
Photo: Kerry Raymond / CC BY 4.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Coraciiformes / Alcedinidae Source
Size
Total length 41–47 cm (the largest kingfisher)
Weight
Males average 307 g / females 352 g
Lifespan
Lifespan around 20 years
Diet
Carnivore Preys on a wide range of small animals including insects, earthworms, snails, crayfish, small fish, lizards, frogs, nestlings, and snakes
Distribution
Native to eastern Australia from Cape York Peninsula to Cape Otway; introduced populations exist in Tasmania, Western Australia, and New Zealand. Source

Did You Know?

  • The bird takes its name from its distinctive loud call, which sounds like a person bursting into raucous laughter. Source
  • The laughing kookaburra is the largest species of kingfisher by body mass. Source
  • Its call has been used as a stock jungle sound effect in Hollywood films since the 1930s Tarzan movies. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 3

Tennoji ZooOsakaOpened in 1915

Source

Latest news

1

Open the news index

Source links to official sites, official YouTube channels, and news aggregators such as Zoo Ring. Visit the publisher for the full item.

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Least Concern (LC)

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.

Visit
A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving
Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei
Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

Why is it called the laughing kookaburra?
Its call sounds like raucous human laughter, which gives the species its common name. Source
What does the laughing kookaburra eat?
It hunts a wide variety of small animals, including insects, earthworms, snails, small fish, lizards, frogs, small birds, and snakes. Source
Is the laughing kookaburra really the largest kingfisher?
Yes, by body mass it is the largest species of kingfisher in the world. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?
Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 3 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org