Size: Up to 46cm (beak to tail)

Habitat: Woodland and watercourses

Species: Laughing Kookaburra, Blue-winged Kookaburra

Found: Mainly in eastern and northern parts of Australia

Diet: Insects, reptiles, fish, and sometimes small rodents

Age:Often lives 20 years or more, pairing for life and living in family groups

Kookaburra Facts

Kookaburras are members of the kingfisher family: there are 10 species of Kingfisher in total found in Australia. The Laughing Kookaburra is probably the most famous, and is renowned for its loud cry of 'koo-koo-koo-koo-koo-kaa-kaa-kaa' which is usually sung in a chorus. Laughing Kookaburras can often become quite tame and will readily accept scraps of meat, bashing it on their perch before swallowing. These popular birds have successfully been introduced to Tasmania, New Zealand and parts of Western Australia.

The Blue-winged Kookaburra is slightly smaller, has a coarser call but is more colourful than the Laughing Kookaburra. It is generally found in coastal regions between Broome and Brisbane.

Kookaburras are very territorial and live in close family groups. Young birds resulting from previous breeding seasons remain for up to three years: they help their parents incubate the eggs as well as feed and protect the chicks.