WildView™

January 19, 2017

Laughing Kookaburra

- as seen by -

Joseph Padilla

---

The laughing kookaburra, (the largest known kingfisher species) is a bird native to eastern Australia. As its name indicates, the kookaburra has a distinguishing call, like a loud laugh, that has intrigued people for years.

This bird prefers to reside in woodland territories where food is abundant. At the top of its menu are insects, mammals like rodents, small reptiles, and even the young of other birds.

It is difficult to tell the males and females apart due to their similarity in color, pattern, and behaviors. Their courtship ritual is an interesting one where the female sings to potential males and waits for courtship feeding. Once she finds an appropriate mate, the female usually lays two to four eggs inside a hollow opening atop a tall tree.

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo is home to this boisterous bird in the Aquatic Bird House.

Nikon D2

---