An interesting thing about the kookaburra is that kookaburra songs are usually heard at dawn and dusk, which has earned this species the name the ‘bushman’s clock’. The laughing kookaburra is known as the “bushman’s alarm clock” because it has a very loud call, usually performed by a family group at dawn and dusk, that sounds like a variety of trills, chortles, belly laughs, and hoots. The call starts and ends with a low chuckle and has a shrieking “laugh” in the middle. Kookaburras are terrestrial kingfishers that live on trees. The laughing kookaburra is the biggest member of the kingfisher family. The most interesting thing about kookaburra bird facts is the kookaburra call for which it is famous. Kookaburras belong to the class Aves meaning they are birds. The laughing kookaburra is known as the “bushman’s alarm clock” because it has a very loud call, usually performed by a family group at dawn and dusk, that sounds like a variety of trills, chortles, belly laughs, and hoots. The call starts and ends with a low chuckle and has a shrieking “laugh” in the middle. Kookaburras are monogamous. They pair for life. They can become quite tame around humans. Older Kookaburras are most vulnerable to airborne predators. Kookaburras Heard the call of the King of the Bush in the past few days? Well, that’s great news, because a Kookaburra laughing is sure sign that rain is on the horizon. The Laughing Kookaburra native to eastern Australia makes a very familiar call sounding like raucous laughter. Their call is used to establish territory among family groups, most often at dawn and dusk. Hearing kookaburras in full chorus is one of the more extraordinary experiences of the Australian bush. The voice of the Laughing Kookaburra is so distinctive, it’s one of the best known sounds in nature. Its exotic call has been a Hollywood standard for decades, that unseen creature in the depths of the jungle, with heroes ranging from Tarzan to Indiana Jones. Laughing kookaburras are the largest kingfisher species in the world and can be described as stout, stocky, and overall pretty thicc [1]. These creepy kooks, like many frightening critters, are native to Australia [2]. The laughing kookaburra is one of the largest kingfishers, reaching a total length of 46 cm. The bill is massive, black above and horn-coloured below. The iris is brown, the legs and feet are greenish-grey. Laughing Kookaburras are the largest kingfishers on Earth. They have a grey head with a brownish-streaked cap and prominent brown eye stripes reaching to the nape of the neck. The rest of the neck and front (throat, chest, belly, vent) are all near-white, with a greyish-creamy tint.
Why is a kookaburra called a laughing jackass?
The laughing kookaburra is known as the “bushman’s alarm clock”. This Australian kingfisher has a loud territorial call, sounding like laughter. The call establishes territory between family groups, usually at dawn and dusk. One bird starts with a low chuckle, then throws its head back in raucous laughter. The name “laughing kookaburra” refers to this distinctive call. In the past, it was called the “laughing jackass” or “giant kingfisher”. Its name comes from the Wiradhuri tribe’s extinct Aboriginal language. A group of kookaburras is called “a riot”.
Kookaburras are the largest kingfisher, up to 43cm long with an 8-10cm beak. Their feathers are grey-brown which helps camouflage them. They have a thick neck and strong neck muscles, probably from the way they kill prey.
Kookaburras use their loud territorial calls to communicate. Shorter calls raise alarms, show aggression, and call group members. Some calls are used in courtship and feeding. Kookaburras hunt like other kingfishers – perching and waiting patiently for passing prey to snatch with their beak.
The IUCN lists the laughing kookaburra as least concern. Kookaburras live across eastern Australia. Predators are eagles, cats, hawks, owls, foxes and butcher birds. They breed September to January.
What are the interesting facts about laughing kookaburras?
The laughing kookaburra is the largest kingfisher. This Australian bird is known for its distinctive call that sounds like human laughter. Kookaburras use this laugh to establish territory and strengthen family bonds. They live in small family groups called “a riot of kookaburras.”
Kookaburras feed on insects, worms, crustaceans, small reptiles, mammals, frogs and birds. They catch prey by pouncing from a perch. Smaller prey is swallowed whole while larger prey is killed by bashing it on the ground.
The laughing kookaburra has a variety of vocalizations depending on if it shows aggression, finds family members or raises an alarm. Although kookaburras belong to the kingfisher family, they do not eat fish often.
Kookaburras pair for life. They incubate eggs and care for young as a family group. The parents enlist older offspring to help feed and protect new hatchlings.
According to one Aboriginal myth, the creator god Baiame made kookaburras laugh to greet the sunrise. Their morning laughter wakes people and animals like a “bushman’s clock.” Kookaburras also laugh frequently at dusk.
Are there Kookaburras in America?
The American kookaburra is a species of terrestrial tree kingfisher introduced to North America to help boost biodiversity. In this article, we discuss kookaburras in America.
What do they look like? American kookaburras have dark brown feathers and a white head. About the size of Australian kookaburras, they grow 28-42cm long and weigh 300g.
Where do they live? You might find them in rainforests, grasslands, suburbs with tall trees and water. They mark territories up to 244 hectares depending on prey.
Kookaburra calls resemble human laughter. Their call establishes territory among family groups, often at dawn and dusk. If a rival group replies, the whole family soon fills the bush with ringing laughter.
An Australian woman in the US was shocked finding a kookaburra for sale in a pet shop, and alerted authorities. She saw the bird confined to a cage.
The New York Kookaburras Australian expat cricket club was founded in 1987 by Drew de Carvalho with help from the Consulate General. From four matches annually, they now play a dozen matches against international expat sides. In 2021 they’ve been invited to play competitive league cricket.
Kookaburras belong to the kingfisher family with the same beak shape. This bird has brownish-grayish plumage hiding it on branches. It watches small prey to hunt. Four species exist in Australia, Aru Islands and New Guinea. The main species’ scientific name is Dacelo novaeguineae.