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Laughing Kookaburra


Laughing Kookaburra
Photo Information
Copyright: Stuart Smyth (stuart83) Silver Note Writer [C: 1 W: 0 N: 55] (150)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-05-11
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 400 D, 100-400 4.5-5.6L Ø77, HOYA 77.0 mm UV
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-07-24 5:12
Viewed: 686
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Dacelo novaeguineae
Description
The Laughing Kookaburra is instantly recognisable in both plumage and voice. This large member of the kingfisher family measures 40 - 45 cm in length. It is generally off-white below, faintly barred with dark brown, and brown on the back and wings. The tail is more rufous, broadly barred with black. There is a conspicuous dark brown eye-stripe through the face.
The chuckling voice that gives this species its English name is a common and familiar sound throughout the bird's range. The loud 'koo-koo-koo-koo-koo-kaa-kaa-kaa' is often sung in a chorus with other individuals. The Laughing Kookaburra also has a shorter 'koooaa', which is normally given when accompanied by other members of its family group.
Identification may only be confused where the Laughing Kookaburra's range overlaps that of the Blue-winged Kookaburra, D. leachii, in eastern Queensland. The call of the Blue-winged Kookaburra is coarser than that of the Laughing Kookaburra, and ends somewhat abruptly. The Blue-winged Kookaburra lacks the brown eye-stripe, has a blue tail and a large amount of blue in the wing, and has a pale eye.
Distribution and Habitat
The Laughing Kookaburra occurs throughout eastern Australia. It has also been introduced to Tasmania and the extreme south-west of Western Australia, as well as New Zealand. It inhabits most areas where there are suitable trees. In the central north and north-west of Australia it is replaced by the Blue-winged Kookaburra. The two overlap in range throughout Queensland, although the Blue-winged Kookaburra tends to occupy the coastal areas.
Food and feeding
Laughing Kookaburras feed mostly on insects, worms and crustaceans, although small snakes, mammals, frogs and birds may also be eaten. Prey is seized by pouncing from a suitable perch. Small prey is eaten whole, but larger prey is killed by bashing it against the ground or tree branch. Laughing Kookaburras often become quite tame around humans and will readily accept scraps of meat. This 'pre-processed' food is still beaten against a perch before swallowing.
Breeding
Laughing Kookaburras breed from August to January. The birds are believed to pair for life. The nest is a bare chamber in a naturally occurring tree hollow or in a burrow excavated in an arboreal (tree-dwelling) termite mound. Both sexes share the incubation duties and both care for the young. Other Laughing Kookaburras, usualy offspring of the previous 1-2 years, act as 'helpers' during the breeding season. Every bird in the group shares all parenting duties.


Original RAW image processed in Digital Photo Professional
Postwork in psp8
slight crop, resize & sharpen
Noise reduction
Neat Image
elefantino, kjpweb, rcrick, pablominto has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • jesst Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 375 W: 0 N: 172] (2411)
  • [2007-07-24 5:36]

Funny bird... Nice shot with wonderful details.
Maybe overexposure on the top of the head...

Nice portrait of this big kingfisher.
Andrea

Great shot Stuart! Perfect focus and eye contact and wonderful detail on the plumage! Kudos! Cheers, Klaus

Hi Stuard,
I just love these birds...A great portrait, perfect plumage details, sharpness, ... TFS, Marta

  • Great 
  • rcrick Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 717 W: 38 N: 1560] (5019)
  • [2007-07-24 23:01]

Hi Stuart, nice capture & good detail, this is one of my favourite subjects ....good notes as well ..Cheers Rick

Hello Stuart,
Well done on this fine close-up!
Amazing details in the plumage, good portrait qualities...
Attractive colour palette, well framed subject!
Greetings,
Pablo -

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