Laughing Kookaburra
Dacelo novaeguineae
Least Concern
The Laughing Kookaburra is famous for its loud call that sounds like hysterical human laughter! Native to Australia, this large kingfisher doesn't fish - instead, it hunts snakes, lizards, and large insects.
Kookaburras often laugh in chorus at dawn and dusk, earning them the nickname 'bushman's clock'. Their laughter is so iconic that it's often used in jungle movie soundtracks - even though they don't live in jungles!
Size
About the size of a crow
Medium (25-40 cm)
Wingspan: 65 cm
Weight: 350 g
Colors
brown
white
blue
Habitat
forest
Diet
small mammalsinsects
Fun Facts
- ✨Their 'laugh' is used in movies for jungle sounds - but they live in Australia!
- ✨They're called 'bushman's clock' because they laugh at dawn and dusk.
- ✨They're actually kingfishers, but rarely eat fish!
- ✨They beat snakes against branches to kill them.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Great news! This bird is doing well. There are lots of them in the wild, and they have safe places to live and find food.
Population trend: decreasing 📉