Laughing Kookaburra
Sounds & Calls
Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)
One of Australia’s most iconic birds, the Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) is the world’s heaviest species of kingfisher (the Giant Kingfisher [Megaceryle maxima] of Africa is a touch bigger in average length). Native to eastern Australia, it has also been introduced to to south-west Australia, Kangaroo Island, Flinders Island, Tasmania and the north island of New Zealand.
Laughing Kookaburras are an adaptable species and can be found in a variety of habitats including open forests, woodlands, farmlands and even in urban parks and gardens. They are a familiar sight in campgrounds, parks and picnic areas along the east coast of Australia, and it’s not uncommon to have them swoop down and steal sausages right off the barbeque grill!
Listen to Laughing Kookaburra Calls
The audio in the following video is an example of the typical early morning territorial song given by a pair of Laughing Kookaburras. Recorded in Wollemi National Park, New South Wales.
Laughing Kookaburra – Typical Territorial Calls
XC201461 This first sample features typical territorial calls at dawn from a pair of Laughing Kookaburras. Recorded in Wollemi National Park, New South Wales.
Laughing Kookaburra – Typical Laughing Calls
XC353413 This next recording is a chorus of several birds giving the typical ‘laughing’ calls at dawn. Recorded in Tully Falls National Park, Queensland.
Laughing Kookaburra – Two Birds Interacting
XC353414 In this third recording you can hear interaction sounds between two birds. Recorded in Tully Falls National Park, Queensland.
Laughing Kookaburra at a campsite in NSW. This species feeds mostly on prey taken on the ground.
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Australian Bird Sounds
Other bird calls from the Australian bush:
- Bellbird, Crested
- Black Cockatoo, Red-tailed
- Black Cockatoo, Yellow-tailed
- Boobook, Australian
- Bowerbird, Golden
- Bowerbird, Satin
- Bowerbird, Spotted
- Budgerigar
- Butcherbird, Grey
- Butcherbird, Pied
- Catbird, Spotted
- Cassowary, Southern
- Chowchilla
- Cockatiel
- Cockatoo, Palm
- Cuckoo, Channel-billed
- Cuckoo, Fan-tailed
- Currawong, Black
- Currawong, Pied
- Drongo, Spangled
- Emu
- Fairywren, Superb
- Frogmouth, Marbled
- Frogmouth, Papuan
- Frogmouth, Tawny
- Fruit Dove, Wompoo
- Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked
- Kingfisher, Sacred
- Koel, Pacific
- Kookaburra, Blue-winged
- Kookaburra, Laughing
- Lyrebird, Superb
- Magpie, Australian
- Miner, Bell
- Nightjar, Large-tailed
- Nightjar, Spotted
- Oriole, Green
- Owl, Australian Masked
- Owl, Eastern Barn
- Owl, Powerful
- Owl, Barking
- Owl, Lesser Sooty
- Owl, Greater Sooty
- Owlet-nightjar, Australian
- Parrot, Eclectus
- Pitta, Noisy
- Rosella, Crimson
- Shrikethrush, Grey
- Songlark, Rufous
- Wagtail, Willie
- Whipbird, Eastern
- Whistler, Australian Golden
- Whistler, Rufous