Kookaburra
Of the 2 species of kookaburra found in Australia, the laughing kookaburra is the best-known and the largest of the native kingfishers. With its distinctive riotous call, the laughing kookaburra is commonly heard in open woodlands and forests throughout NSW national parks, making these ideal spots for bird watching.
Read more about Kookaburra
One of the best-known Australian animals, the raucous ‘laugh’ of a kookaburra echoing through the bush is an iconic sound of the Australian landscape. With a distinctive brown eye-stripe and barred markings along its wings and tail feathers, this stout bird blends easily into the bush – well-adapted for hunting its prey of insects, small lizards and snakes.
Nesting in branches or tree-dwelling termite mounds, the female kookaburra will lay up to 3 eggs, and the incubation and protection of the young is a family affair. They are believed to mate for life. Adolescent birds stay within the family group for up to 4 years, and every bird in the group cares for the young.
Animal facts
- Common name
- Laughing kookaburra
- Scientific name
- Dacelo novaeguineae
- Conservation status in NSW
- Protected
Parks in which this animal is found
- Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve
- Berowra Valley National Park
- Blue Gum Hills Regional Park
- Cattai National Park
- Gaagal Wanggaan (South Beach) National Park
- Glenbrook area in Blue Mountains National Park
- Glenrock State Conservation Area
- Guula Ngurra National Park
- Hat Head National Park
- Horton Falls National Park
- Kalyarr National Park
- Katoomba area in Blue Mountains National Park
- Killalea Regional Park
- Lane Cove National Park
- Morton National Park
- Mount Jerusalem National Park
- Mount Kaputar National Park
- Murray Valley National Park
- Murray Valley Regional Park
- Murrumbidgee Valley National Park
- Warrumbungle National Park
- Whian Whian State Conservation Area
- Yanga National Park
- Yellomundee Regional Park