Laughing Kookaburra
Dacelo novaeguineae
The laughing kookaburra earned their name by the way they sound when they call out. If you have never heard what a kookaburra’s call sounds like, it sounds like someone laughing, but it can also sound like a group of monkeys or donkeys and is very loud and can be heard from up to two miles away. They learn this song or call from their fathers who will sing a portion of the song, and then the chicks will repeat it back and practice it until they can sing with their whole family. They are about a foot tall and are mostly white with brown patches on their square head. They have brown wings with a hint of blue in their feathers. They like to live in wooded areas or open forests, but they can also be found in suburbs and city parks. They are native to eastern and southern Australia and have recently been introduced into Tasmania. They are carnivorous birds and will eat insects, bugs, small mammals, and small reptiles by bashing their food against branches.
Click HERE for a Kookaburra Activity Sheet!
Our Current Resident
Sydney, Female – Hatched January 1, 2014
Sydney was born at a private facility in Georgia, before coming to ZooMontana in 2014. She is a very popular animal amongst guests because she is vocal and can be heard from almost anywhere inside. Sydney is located inside towards the back of the building near the community room.
You can get to know Sydney better and meet her in person through our programs scheduled through the Education Department!
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Coraciiformes
- Family: Alcedinidae
- Genus: Dacelo
- Species: Dacelo novaeguineae
Animal Facts
Carnivores (and or Insectivores): mainly eat snakes, lizards, worms, or insects
Population Status: currently listed as Least Concern
Habitat: open forests and wooded areas, also suburbs and city parks
Activity: diurnal- mainly active during the day
