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December 10, 2003

Mid-week Mystery

This is an Australian native - another bird - what is it and what does it eat?

Now this week is really, really easy - so go ahead and have a guess.

Posted by Ozguru at December 10, 2003 07:12 AM

Comments

That is a Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae), member of the kingfisher family and introduced to western Australia in 1897. Also known colloquially as the "laughing jackass". I have heard a real live one make its characteristic call just once, at the Toronto Zoo.

Posted by: Chris Taylor at December 10, 2003 07:12 AM

Absolutely 100% correct. You can find out more about the Kookaburra at these sites: 1, 2 and 3. Where I grew up we had a pair nesting in a tree and I cannot forget seeing a male kookaburra sitting in a tree with a 5 foot long red belly (snake). The kookaburra had it near the middle (speared through with the beak from the look of it) and was swinging his head bashing the snake against the tree branch. I was not aware of the fact that it had been introduced to Western Australia (and also New Zealand). Growing up in the Eastern states, I just assumed they were Australia-wide so bonus points for knowing that :-)

Posted by: ozguru at December 10, 2003 07:12 AM

So does that mean the bird eats snakes? the guy knew what he bird was but didn't actually answer the question. I reward NO points for knowing the bird due to the lack of answering the question in college you would likewise get zero points. hehe

Posted by: TL at December 10, 2003 07:12 AM

Yeah I realised I forgot to answer the food part of the equation... but then I am also genuinely ignorant of what the kookaburra eats! I didn't think it would be snakes though. That's pretty gutsy for a (non-raptor) bird.

Posted by: Chris Taylor at December 10, 2003 07:12 AM