Bonanza Bird #5: The Laughing Kookaburra

Birdorable Laughing Kookaburra

For 18 days we're adding a new Birdorable bird every day as part of our Birdorable Bonanza 2010. Today's bird is the Laughing Kookaburra! The Laughing Kookaburra is the largest species of the kingfisher family. These brown and white birds are named for their unusual call, which sounds like they are laughing: "koo-koo-koo-ka-ka-ka!" Although the species is native to eastern Australia, the unique call of the Laughing Kookaburra is often used by Hollywood as a sound effect in jungle scenes - no matter which continent. Have a listen to the call and see if you recognize it!

Laughing Kookaburras are fairly common within their range, often found in suburban or urban settings. They will even become habituated to humans. Last month one Laughing Kookaburra got into trouble after eating too many handout sausages. The bird became so overweight that it was unable to fly! Fortunately the bird was rescued and brought in to "bootcamp where it was expected to recover after being put on a diet and exercise plan.

A Wild and Free Laughing Kookaburra
A Wild and Free Laughing Kookaburra by ianmichaelthomas

Tomorrow's bird is a blue bird that lives in western parts of the United States. Can you guess what it is?

Comments

dominic morrell on July 11, 2010 at 12:34 PM wrote:
pinyon jay? I hat to go through whatbird.
Ashira on July 11, 2010 at 3:23 PM wrote:
How adorable! C: I hate when movies mis-use bird sound effects. One of the worst is the Red-Tailed Hawk's call being used for eagles! D: I can't stand scientific inaccuracy, however silly it sounds. Tomorrow's bird...could it be a flycatcher of some sort? The prominent cere makes me wonder, though. Makes me think 'dove' but the tail says NO. xD
Ashira on July 11, 2010 at 3:24 PM wrote:
Oh! I didn't see the 'blue' part. D: Maybe a Scrub Jay, then? Ooh, I'd love to see a Steller's Jay. :D
dominic morrell on July 12, 2010 at 6:02 AM wrote:
second guess... Westrern Scrub-jay?
Ashira on July 12, 2010 at 9:43 AM wrote:
Oh! Or possibly a Mountain Bluebird. C:
Heather Richards on November 30, 2016 at 2:04 PM wrote:
They don't look anything like ducks! Why do I call this a Ha Ha Duck?
Louise Warner on March 17, 2017 at 10:24 AM wrote:
western scurb jay!
Spurwing Plover on May 30, 2022 at 6:34 PM wrote:
Stellars Jays and Scrub Jays the Grey Jay
Spurwing Plover on February 27, 2025 at 1:55 AM wrote:
The Kookaburra Song. And their calls have been used in Jungle Movies even though they don't live in Jungles

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