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Kookaburras (genus Dacelo) are large to very large (total length 28-42 cm/11-17 in) terrestrial kingfishers native to Australia and New Guinea

Kookaburras are best known for their unmistakable call, which is uncannily like loud, echoing human laughter — good-natured, but rather hysterical, merriment in the case of the well-known Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae); and maniacal cackling in the case of the slightly smaller Blue-winged Kookaburra (D. leachii). They are generally not closely associated with water, and can be found in habitats ranging from humid forest to arid savanna, but also in suburban and residential areas near running water and where food can be searched for easily.

Kookaburras are carnivorous. They will eat lizards, snakes, insects, mice, other small birds, and raw meat. The most social birds will accept handouts from humans and will take raw or cooked meat (even if at high temperature) from on or near open-air barbecues left unattended. It is generally not advised to feed the birds too regularly as meat alone does not include calcium and other nutrients essential to the bird. Remainders of mince on the bird's beak can fester and cause problems for the bird.

They are territorial, and often live with the partly grown chicks of the previous season. They often sing as a chorus to mark their territory.

In the wild, kookaburras are known to eat babies of other birds and snakes, and insects and small reptiles and even other small birds, such as finches if they are lucky enough to catch them. In zoos, they are usually fed food for birds of prey, and dead baby chicks.

Sure are a pretty colored bird. You take the photos??

Dale wrote:

Sure are a pretty colored bird. You take the photos??

No Dale,
A friend e-mailed them to us as well as several other wildlife photo's to use up here.

Regards
Heather and Terry.

I just can't help but be amazed at all the creatures on this planet. Some, so beautiful ya can just want to hug and squeeze 'em ... others deadly and still look huggable.