Kookaburra
Encyclopedia
Kookaburras are terrestrial
kingfisher
s native to Australia
and New Guinea
. They are large to very large, with a total length of 28 –. The name is a loanword
from Wiradjuri
guuguubarra, and is onomatopoeic of its call. The single member of the genus Clytoceyx, though commonly referred to as the Shovel-billed Kookaburra
, is not treated in this article.
Kookaburras are best known for their unmistakable call, which sounds uncannily like loud, echoing human laughter
— good-natured, but rather hysterical, merriment in the case of the renowned Laughing Kookaburra
(Dacelo novaeguineae); and maniacal cackling in the case of the slightly smaller Blue-winged Kookaburra
(D. leachii). They are generally not closely associated with water, and can be found in habitats ranging from humid forest to arid savanna, but also in suburban and residential areas near running water and where food can be searched for easily.
.
Unusual for close relatives, the Laughing and Blue-winged species
are direct competitors in the area where their ranges overlap. This suggests that the two species, though having common stock, evolved in isolation (possibly during a period when Australia and New Guinea were more distant — see Australia-New Guinea) and were only brought back into contact in relatively recent geological times.
All kookaburras are sexually dimorphic, but this is only obvious in the Blue-winged and the Rufous-bellied, where males have blue tails, females rufous.
They are territorial
, and often live with the partly grown chicks of the previous season. They often sing as a chorus to mark their territory.
In the wild, kookaburras are known to eat the young of other birds and snakes, and insects and small reptiles and even other small birds, such as finches if they are lucky enough to catch them. In zoos, they are usually fed food for birds of prey, and dead baby chicks.
in Sydney
. The other mascots were Millie the Echidna
and Syd the Platypus
.
Although the kookaburra is restricted to a relatively small part of the world, the distinctive sound it makes has found its way onto many "jungle sound" soundtracks, used in filmmaking
and television productions as well as certain Disney theme park attractions, no matter where in the world the action is set. They have also appeared in video games (Lineage II
, Battletoads
, and World of Warcraft
) and at least in one short story (Barry Wood's Nowhere to Go).
The children's television series Splatalot!
includes an Australian character called Kookaburra (or 'Kook'). His costume includes decorative wings that recall the bird's plumage, and is noted for his distinctive high-pitched laugh.
BFD Records and BFD Productions, which are the distributors and/or copyright holders of most of the garage rock and psychedelic rock compilations albums
in the Pebbles (series), are shown as having an address of Kookaburra, Australia.
minted annually since 1990.
unsuccessfully defended the America's Cup
in 1987.
.
Terrestrial animal
Terrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land , as compared with aquatic animals, which live predominantly or entirely in the water , or amphibians, which rely on a combination of aquatic and terrestrial habitats...
kingfisher
Kingfisher
Kingfishers are a group of small to medium sized brightly coloured birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species being found in the Old World and Australia...
s native to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
. They are large to very large, with a total length of 28 –. The name is a loanword
Loanword
A loanword is a word borrowed from a donor language and incorporated into a recipient language. By contrast, a calque or loan translation is a related concept where the meaning or idiom is borrowed rather than the lexical item itself. The word loanword is itself a calque of the German Lehnwort,...
from Wiradjuri
Wiradjuri language
Wiradjuri is a Pama–Nyungan language of the Wiradhuric subgroup. It was the traditional language of the Wiradjuri people of Australia, but is no longer in general use. The process of reclaiming the language was greatly assisted by the publication in 2005 of A First Wiradjuri Dictionary by elder...
guuguubarra, and is onomatopoeic of its call. The single member of the genus Clytoceyx, though commonly referred to as the Shovel-billed Kookaburra
Shovel-billed Kookaburra
The Shovel-billed Kookaburra , also known as the Shovel-billed Kingfisher, is a large, approximately 33 cm long, dark brown tree kingfisher with a heavy, short and broad bill that is unique among the kingfishers...
, is not treated in this article.
Kookaburras are best known for their unmistakable call, which sounds uncannily like loud, echoing human laughter
Laughter
Laughing is a reaction to certain stimuli, fundamentally stress, which serves as an emotional balancing mechanism. Traditionally, it is considered a visual expression of happiness, or an inward feeling of joy. It may ensue from hearing a joke, being tickled, or other stimuli...
— good-natured, but rather hysterical, merriment in the case of the renowned Laughing Kookaburra
Laughing Kookaburra
The Laughing Kookaburra, Dacelo novaeguineae, is a carnivorous bird in the kingfisher family Halcyonidae. Native to eastern Australia, it has also been introduced to parts of New Zealand, Tasmania and Western Australia. Male and female adults are similar in plumage, which is predominantly brown and...
(Dacelo novaeguineae); and maniacal cackling in the case of the slightly smaller Blue-winged Kookaburra
Blue-winged Kookaburra
The Blue-winged Kookaburra, Dacelo leachii, is a large species of kingfisher native to northern Australia and southern New Guinea.Measuring around 40 cm , it is slightly smaller than the more familiar Laughing Kookaburra. It has cream-coloured upper- and underparts barred with brownish markings. It...
(D. leachii). They are generally not closely associated with water, and can be found in habitats ranging from humid forest to arid savanna, but also in suburban and residential areas near running water and where food can be searched for easily.
Classification and species
There are four known species of kookaburras found in Australia, New Guinea, and the Aru IslandsAru Islands
The Aru Islands are a group of about ninety-five low-lying islands in the Maluku province of eastern Indonesia. They also form a regency of Indonesia.-Geography:...
.
Unusual for close relatives, the Laughing and Blue-winged species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
are direct competitors in the area where their ranges overlap. This suggests that the two species, though having common stock, evolved in isolation (possibly during a period when Australia and New Guinea were more distant — see Australia-New Guinea) and were only brought back into contact in relatively recent geological times.
Species
- Rufous-bellied KookaburraRufous-bellied KookaburraThe Rufous-bellied Kookaburra is a species of kookaburra which is widely distributed through the forests of lowland New Guinea...
(Dacelo gaudichaud). (southern New Guinea, Saibai island) - Spangled KookaburraSpangled KookaburraThe Spangled Kookaburra, Dacelo tyro, also called Aru Giant Kingfisher, is a little-known, but spectacular species of Kookaburra found only on the Aru Islands and the Trans Fly savanna and grasslands of southern New Guinea. It has bright blue wings and tail, a white chest and belly, dark eyes, and...
(Dacelo tyro). (Aru Islands, southern New Guinea) - Blue-winged KookaburraBlue-winged KookaburraThe Blue-winged Kookaburra, Dacelo leachii, is a large species of kingfisher native to northern Australia and southern New Guinea.Measuring around 40 cm , it is slightly smaller than the more familiar Laughing Kookaburra. It has cream-coloured upper- and underparts barred with brownish markings. It...
(Dacelo leachii). (northern Australia, southern New Guinea) - Laughing KookaburraLaughing KookaburraThe Laughing Kookaburra, Dacelo novaeguineae, is a carnivorous bird in the kingfisher family Halcyonidae. Native to eastern Australia, it has also been introduced to parts of New Zealand, Tasmania and Western Australia. Male and female adults are similar in plumage, which is predominantly brown and...
(Dacelo novaeguineae). (native to eastern Australia, introduced to southwest Australia)
Behaviour
Kookaburras are carnivorous. They will eat lizards, snakes, insects, mice, other small birds, and raw meat. The most social birds will accept handouts from humans and will take raw or cooked meat (even if at high temperature) from on or near open-air barbecues left unattended. It is generally not advised to feed the birds too regularly as meat alone does not include calcium and other nutrients essential to the bird. Remainders of mince on the bird's beak can fester and cause problems for the bird.They are territorial
Territory (animal)
In ethology the term territory refers to any sociographical area that an animal of a particular species consistently defends against conspecifics...
, and often live with the partly grown chicks of the previous season. They often sing as a chorus to mark their territory.
In the wild, kookaburras are known to eat the young of other birds and snakes, and insects and small reptiles and even other small birds, such as finches if they are lucky enough to catch them. In zoos, they are usually fed food for birds of prey, and dead baby chicks.
In culture
Olly the Kookaburra was one of the three mascots chosen for the 2000 Summer Olympics2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. The other mascots were Millie the Echidna
Short-beaked Echidna
The short-beaked echidna , also known as the spiny anteater because of its diet of ants and termites, is one of four living species of echidna and the only member of the genus Tachyglossus...
and Syd the Platypus
Platypus
The platypus is a semi-aquatic mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young...
.
Although the kookaburra is restricted to a relatively small part of the world, the distinctive sound it makes has found its way onto many "jungle sound" soundtracks, used in filmmaking
Filmmaking
Filmmaking is the process of making a film, from an initial story, idea, or commission, through scriptwriting, casting, shooting, directing, editing, and screening the finished product before an audience that may result in a theatrical release or television program...
and television productions as well as certain Disney theme park attractions, no matter where in the world the action is set. They have also appeared in video games (Lineage II
Lineage II
Lineage II is a massive multiplayer online role-playing game for Microsoft Windows. It is a prequel to Lineage, and is set 150 years before the earlier game. It has become very popular since its October 1, 2003 launch in South Korea, reporting 1,000,918 unique users during the month of March 2007...
, Battletoads
Battletoads
Battletoads is a platformer video game created by Tim and Chris Stamper and developed by Rare. Starring three anthropomorphic toads named after skin conditions , the game was created to rival the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games....
, and World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the fourth released game set in the fantasy Warcraft universe, which was first introduced by Warcraft: Orcs & Humans in 1994...
) and at least in one short story (Barry Wood's Nowhere to Go).
The children's television series Splatalot!
Splatalot!
Splatalot! is a medieval-themed physical game show for kids which made its English Canadian premiere on March 14, 2011 on YTV. It is hosted by Jason Agnew, and Matt Chin. The series is similar to Wipeout. Splatalot! is produced by Toronto-based marblemedia...
includes an Australian character called Kookaburra (or 'Kook'). His costume includes decorative wings that recall the bird's plumage, and is noted for his distinctive high-pitched laugh.
Music
- A well-known children's song, KookaburraKookaburra (song)"Kookaburra" is a popular Australian nursery rhyme and round about the Kookaburra , written by Marion Sinclair .-Composition:...
- Kookaburra, by Cocteau TwinsCocteau TwinsCocteau Twins were a Scottish alternative rock band active from 1979 to 1997, known for innovative instrumentation and atmospheric, non-lyrical vocals...
, released on their EP Aikea-GuineaAikea-GuineaAikea-Guinea is a 7-inch single and EP by the Scottish rock group Cocteau Twins, released on 4AD records in March 1985. The 7-inch format features two non-album tracks, the EP also features these plus another two.... - Kookaburra by John VandersliceJohn VandersliceJohn Vanderslice is an American musician and songwriter. Previously a member of the band Mk Ultra, he now records and performs as a solo artist.-Early years:...
on 2007's Emerald City (album)
BFD Records and BFD Productions, which are the distributors and/or copyright holders of most of the garage rock and psychedelic rock compilations albums
in the Pebbles (series), are shown as having an address of Kookaburra, Australia.
Postage stamps
- A 6d (6 penny) stamp was issued in 1914.
- A 38c Australian stamp was issued around 1990 and features a pair of kookaburras.
Coins
There has been an Australian coin known as the Silver KookaburraAustralian Silver Kookaburra
The Silver Kookaburra is a silver bullion coin originating from Australia, and produced at the Perth Mint. The coins are .999 fine silver. They are minted in the following four sizes:...
minted annually since 1990.
Yacht
The Australian 12 metre yacht Kookaburra IIIKookaburra III
Kookaburra III was the Australian 12 Meter yacht sailed by Iain Murray in the 1987 America's Cup held off of Fremantle, Australia. She won the Defender Selection and represented Australia in the America's Cup, where she lost to American challenger Dennis Conner and his Stars and Stripes...
unsuccessfully defended the America's Cup
America's Cup
The America’s Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging...
in 1987.
Hockey
The Australian Men's Hockey team is named after the Kookaburra. They are currently (as of 2010) world champions in the sport of field hockeyField hockey
Field Hockey, or Hockey, is a team sport in which a team of players attempts to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking a ball into an opposing team's goal using sticks...
.
Further reading
- Kookaburra sketches and calls at the Australian National Botanic Gardens site. Archived from the original on 2008-07-20. Retrieved 2010-09-03.