Peals of laughter echo even here. This is Mrs Kookaburra Statue. It represents an iconic Australian bird. The Laughing Kookaburra is famous for its distinctive call. This call sounds like human laughter. The statue celebrates this unique sound.
Kookaburras are native to Australia and New Guinea. They are terrestrial tree kingfishers. These birds grow to be between 28 and 47 cm long. They weigh around 300 g. The name “kookaburra” comes from the Wiradjuri word “guuguubarra”. This word imitates the bird’s call.
Laughing Kookaburras are about 40-48cm in size. There are two subspecies. Adult males have white wing patches when flying. They also have a large bill that is black above and ivory below. A dark eye stripe is visible. The large pale head features brown spots and a crown patch. The back and wings are brown. Pale blue mottling appears on the wings. The rump is often blue. The tail has rufous-brown and black bars. It is edged with white and plain white below. Adult females have a brown or pale blue rump. Their heads are more buff.
These kookaburras inhabit open forests and woodlands. They prefer tall trees with hollows. They are also called Giant Kingfishers. Other names include Laughing Jackass and Settler’s Clock. Some people call them Bushman’s Clock.
Laughing Kookaburras are carnivorous. They eat small reptiles and insects. Their diet includes crabs and fish. They also eat other birds from nests and chickens.
These birds are very territorial and sedentary. They usually live in small family groups. These groups cooperate to raise young and protect their territory. Pairs are generally monogamous. They breed from September to December. Nests are usually in a tree hollow or termite nest chamber. They may also nest in an earthen bank. Females lay 2-4 white eggs. Both parents incubate and raise the chicks.
Kookaburras are almost exclusively carnivorous. They eat mice and snakes. Insects and small reptiles are part of their diet. They also consume the young of other birds. Unlike many other kingfishers, they rarely eat fish. They have been known to take goldfish from garden ponds. In zoos, they eat food suitable for birds of prey.
Kookaburras are often seen waiting for prey. They sit on powerlines or low tree branches. When they see their prey, they dive down. They grab their prey with their strong beak. Small prey is eaten whole. Larger prey is bashed against a tree or the ground. This makes it softer and easier to eat.
The distinctive sound of the laughing kookaburra is widely used. It appears in filmmaking and television productions. It is also used in Disney theme-park attractions. This happens regardless of the setting. You might hear it in African, Asian, or South American jungle scenes.
The children’s song “Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree” is well-known. Marion Sinclair wrote it in 1932.
Australian law protects native birds. This includes kookaburras. All kookaburra species are listed as least concern. The Silver Kookaburra is an Australian coin. It has been minted annually since 1990. The kookaburra appears on the Australian twenty-dollar note many times. Mrs Kookaburra Statue reminds us of this bird’s importance. It is an icon of the Australian bush.