Looking for Laughing Kookaburra - (Corowa ,Victoria Australia)
Wikipedia Description…
The laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) is a bird in the kingfisher subfamily Halcyoninae…is native to eastern mainland Australia, but has also been introduced to parts of New Zealand, Tasmania, and Western Australia. It occupies dry eucalypt forest, woodland, city parks and gardens. This species is sedentary and occupies the same territory throughout the year. It is monogamous, retaining the same partner for life. A breeding pair can be accompanied by up to five fully grown non-breeding offspring from previous years that help the parents defend their territory and raise their young. The laughing kookaburra generally breeds in unlined tree holes or in excavated holes in arboreal termite nests. The usual clutch is three white eggs. The parents and the helpers incubate the eggs and feed the chicks. The youngest of the three nestlings or chicks is often killed by the older siblings. When the chicks fledge they continue to be fed by the group for six to ten weeks until they are able to forage independently.”
First Encounter…
Our first encounter with a Kookaburra was in Corowa along the Murray River in Victoria Australia. I say encounter because we had seen a few previously in Tasmania while looking for Platypus. In Corowa a family of three were very interested in our breakfast. Especially one brave Kookaburra that landed on my camera lens and hung out to share oatmeal with me.
