Blue-winged Kookaburra

Facts

scientific name

Dacelo leachii

conservation status

Least Concern

weight

280 - 320 Grams

diet

Kookaburras are known to eat insects, rodents, snakes, lizards and the odd small bird; and have been witnessed flying in to grab an easy meal from unsuspecting picnic goers.

habitat

They are found in the northern and north eastern coastal fringes of Australia, WA, the Kimberley’s and Pilbara; also Southern New Guinea.

The Blue-Winged Kookaburra is the closest relative of the Laughing Kookaburra. It is sexually dimorphic, with a blue tail in the male, and a rufous tail with blackish bars in the female. The Kookaburra is the largest member of the Kingfisher family, with a distinctive call that they use to advertise territory. They can live for 20 years of more, and have a low birth rate to keep pace with their low death rate. They form permanent pairs and most young stay to help the parents defend the boundaries and protect further offspring.