. kookaburra
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- Scientific Name:
Dacelo novaeguineae
(Click on photo to enlarge)
- Common Name/s:
KOOKABURRA, LAUGHING KOOKABURRA.
- Sub Species:
2
- Origin / Distribution:
East coast of Australia including Tasmania. From the top of
Queensland to the bottom of Tasmania plus the south-east portion of
South Australia. Established in Tasmania and Western Australia
from introduced birds.
- Habitat In Wild:
Prefer open sclerophyll forests, woodlands and areas that provide
suitable tree hollows that are suitable for nests. Have adapted well to urban areas, parks and gardens.
- Status In Wild:
Secure
- Status In (Australian) Captivity:
Very few available.
- Age To Sexual Maturity:
?
- Adult plumage: attained at about ?
months
- Best breeding years (estimate):
In the wild these birds may be 4 or more years of age before the
start to breed.
- Lifespan (estimate): approx. 20
years or more.
- Sexing: Monomorphic
/ Dimorphic Cock birds may
have a blue patch on the rump.
- Colour mutations:
?
- Availability:
Specialist Breeders
- Temperament:
They are very territorial birds. Their vocal display, mostly
in the morning and evenings, is to warn other birds of their
"ownership" of a particular area. The Laughing
Kookaburra is not a migratory bird and occupies the same territory
throughout the year.
- Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: -
Normal colour (approx.) $400
- Description Of Adults:
The Laughing Kookaburra is the largest Kingfisher in the world.
- Length: Approx. 470 mm
(or approx. 19 inches)
- Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer
photo/s above (Click on photo
to enlarge).
- Weight: Approx. ? gms (or approx.
? ozs)
The Laughing Kookaburra is a member of
the Kingfishers family.
Aviary Notes:
Level Of Knowledge Required:
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Specialist Breeders
Only.
Government Regulations &
By-Laws: Refer to "Government Laws"
web page.
Housing Requirements:
Click on "Housing birds"
web page for general details on the housing
of Softbills or read on for specific details for this finch.
Typical large planted finch aviary is ideal.
4 metres x 1 metre x 2.1 metres high.
Diet / Feeding:
Click on "Feeding birds"
web page for general details on the
nutrition of Softbills or read on for specific details for this
finch.
Natural diet includes snakes, small reptiles and lizards,
small rodents,
insects and occasionally small birds. Kookaburras bash their prey to a pulp prior to
swallowing it. In the wild Kookaburras will wait for long periods of time
waiting for their prey. Insects and vertebrates make up the majority of
their food intake.
Nesting:
A basic overview only.
- Roosting nest: Yes / No
- Nesting months:
September to January.
- Nesting receptacles:
In the wild these birds nest in tree hollows.
- Nest: Nest is usually a
log with a diameter of about 500mm.
- Who incubates the eggs: Hen / cock / both share.
In the wild the hen and some helpers will incubate the eggs.
Breeding:
Egg Colour White. Cutch/s
per year.. usually 1. Eggs per nest usually 2, sometimes 3. Incubation
approx. 23 - 24 days. Fledge approx. 35 days.
Independent approx. another 8 -12 weeks. Incubation starts
with the laying of the first egg. Eggs usually hatch at 2 day intervals.
Pairs form strong long term pair bonds.
Kookaburras are social birds and the breeding pair may be supported in the
raising of their current young by birds from the previous years fledglings.
In some nests in the wild the first hatched,
biggest bird may kill the smaller nestling. This behaviour is termed
"siblicide". The result of this behaviour results in the fledgling from
the "siblicide" nest achieving a heavier weight upon leaving the nest when
compared to nests where this practise did not occur. The 2 surviving young
usually comprise one hen and one cock bird.
Artificial incubation, hand rearing or fostering will not be
covered on this web site. It is too complex and diverse in nature to be
attempted here. Refer "Specific References" as listed below and
"General References" listings.
Health Issues:
Refer "Avian Health Issues"
web page for information and references.
- Worming and parasite control and Quarantine
requirements of new birds or sick birds are considered to
require veterinary advice and therefore not covered on this web
site. Refer above option - "Avian Health Issues"
web page.
- Avian medicine is advancing at a rapid pace. Keep
updating your knowledge and skills.
General References:
Refer to references listed on "Book References"
web page.
Specific References:
-
Australian
Aviculture
- A/A Vol 58 No. 3 Mar 2004 Page 62-63 (Blue Winged).
- Australian Birdkeeper
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