Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae), 1790s

Laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae), 1790s

Ducie Collection, National Library of Australia, Canberra; Purchased from the Ducie-Moreton Family, 2005; nla.pic-vn3579224

Watercolour

Laughing kookaburras feature in the popular Australian children’s song ‘Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree’.
The Laughing kookaburra is not really laughing when it makes its familiar call. Its cackle is actually a territorial call to warn other birds to stay away.
Laughing kookaburras often pair for life. Previous offspring act as ‘helpers’ during the breeding season.
The Laughing kookaburra is native to eastern Australia and found in open woodland areas.
Laughing kookaburras are carnivorous birds from the kingfisher family and feed on a range of mice, insects, lizards, birds and snakes.