Scientific Name:
Dacelo leachii
Distribution
Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea.
Diet:
Carnivore. Mainly invertebrates (grasshoppers, crickets, mantids, stick-insects, beetles, cicadas, ants, bees, wasps, insects larvae, centipedes, millipedes, spiders, scorpions, crabs, snails, earthworms), small vertebrates (small fish, frogs, lizards, snakes, freshwater terrapins, small birds, bird eggs, small mammals).
Facts
Habitat: Savanna woodland, eucalyptus, mangrove and monsoon forest, cultivated land with trees, parks, gardens.
Incubation: 25-26 days / 2-3 eggs
Social structure: Pairs or family groups of up to 12 birds.
Weight: male 322g max, female 370g max
Dimensions: 38-41cm
Lifespan: 12-15
Estimated population in the wild: Fairly common / common
Threats: There are no major threats to this species.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Did you know that:
- Τhe offspring of previous years, 1–4 years old, assist with territory defense, preparation of nest, incubation, and brooding and feeding nestlings and fledglings.
- Although Kookaburras are in the ‘Tree Kingfisher’ family, they don’t need to live near water and fish isn’t a major part of their diet.
- According to Aboriginal legends, the Kookaburras call at sunrise, as the Creator assigned them the task of waking up all the other animals.
- Like the raptors, kookaburra use their excellent vision to find prey