UKC

Had a pair visit our garden yesterday, lovely birds. (Just thought I'd share.)

Kookaburras are terrestrial tree kingfishers of the genus Dacelo native to Australia and New Guinea, which grow to between 28–42 cm (11–17 in) in length. The name is a loanword from Wiradjuri guuguubarra, onomatopoeic of its call. The single member of the genus Clytoceyx is commonly referred to as the shovel-billed kookaburra.

The kookaburra's loud call sounds like echoing human laughter. They are found in habitats ranging from humid forest to arid savanna, as well as in suburban areas with tall trees or near running water. Even though they belong to the larger group known as "kingfishers", kookaburras are not closely associated with water

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kookaburra

https://scontent.fmel1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13958110_1657904037863565_34...

https://scontent.fmel1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14086246_1657903741196928_37...

https://scontent.fmel1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14054278_1657904171196885_20...

https://scontent.fmel1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13988256_1657904214530214_33...

https://scontent.fmel1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/s960x960/14047347_1658684257...

https://scontent.fmel1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/s960x960/14107861_1658684374...

In reply to Big Ger:

Great photos. Do they sit in the old gum tree?

In reply to aln:

Yep, but there again, most of the trees hereabouts are eucalyptus. (Gums.)

In reply to Big Ger:

They've become regular visitors;

https://scontent.fmel1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/s960x960/14138819_1662217874...

https://scontent.fmel1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14138756_1662218110765491_82...

https://scontent.fmel1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14086402_1662218074098828_81...

In reply to Big Ger:

You might enjoy this and the accompanying story:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/imagik1/16784083670/in/photolist-pHS8Kz-fHAwa...

In reply to Fraser:

Thanks for that!

We're too urban here to get eagles. But I see many of them at the nature reserve I walk the dogs at.

In reply to Big Ger:
I love them. We had one swoop down and take food off our plates when camping at a bush site. My daughter gets them in her garden at National. And when a gang of them get together and start telling jokes - well, just a great wildlife experience. They'd cheer up anyone with the blues.
Of course, National above should be Natimuk. Bl**dy auto-correct - must find out how to disable it.

In reply to Rog Wilko:


I loved hearing them when I lived in Oz, but to my ear the "laughter" always had a severely mocking tone to it, which is fine when you are well. And thoroughly apt if you are battling through some of Victoria's finest bush getting severely prickled, whilst trying not to step on a snoozing Copperhead, in the attempt to find - for the second or third time - the state's climbing Shangri-La (can't even remember the crag's name) which when you actually get there turns out to be anything but.

But, if I was feeling particularly blue, they'd sound like Job's comforters to me, I think.