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Laughing Kookaburra


Laughing Kookaburra
Photo Information
Copyright: Toni Alvarez (Toni) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 403 W: 2 N: 316] (2034)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-06
Categories: Birds
Camera: KonicaMinolta Dynax7D, minolta 80-200 G APO
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-11-05 13:58
Viewed: 1783
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 26
[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.
Alan_Kolnik, marhowie, Dave, ellis49, Janice, coasties, hummingbird24, slrnovice2, mlines has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Merlin: Laughing KookaburraToni 2 11-11 15:47
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Critiques [Translate]

What a lovely kookaburra.
Very nice and sharp, super pose.
The dark BG help to put more emphazis on the bird's white feathers.

  • Great 
  • Dave Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 525 W: 47 N: 674] (2173)
  • [2005-11-05 22:42]

What a handsome bird this is!
The whole picture is nicele composed and very well framed.

Excellent!

Thanks!

Hi Toni,
It's abeautiful kookaburra you have caught.
Good details, well exposed and nice colours. I like the composition and POV too.
Very well done.

I think that DAve has the word. 'Handsome' The picture is handsome and has character. The Kookaburra symbolises the Australian character. Well done. Elcellent POV. I hope Australia was good to you!
Barry

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3316 W: 149 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2005-11-06 3:07]

Hi Toni, what a super shot of the Kookaburra, he is so sharp and clear. You show off his colours and details so well. This is a very good photo, well done. Thank you...

Hi Toni

Nicely composed shot. Good exposure on the white. Perfect catchlight in the eye. A pleasure to view. Thanks.

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1576 W: 5 N: 2180] (12248)
  • [2005-11-06 6:10]

Très bonne photo Toni!

La pose de l'oiseau et la netteté sont parfaites. Le bg s'harmonise parfaitement avec l'oiseau et fait bien ressortir les couleurs.

Félicitations pour cette belle composition et merci pour l'envoie!

Beautiful portrait shot! A tiny bit more DOF would have been perfect, but that's nitpicking. I'd like to read more in notes about how shots were taken rather than just exposure details?
Regards, Nigel

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3064 W: 231 N: 6154] (21022)
  • [2005-11-06 13:46]

Beautiful portrait of a kookaburra. Toni. The top of the head is slightly OE, but the exposure and focus on the rest of the bird are excellent. Fantastic POV and great eye contact. Well done and TFS. : )

Excellent capture, very good quality Toni. Well composed closeup with very good sharpness, detail, POV, light & color.
Very well done. Great pose also. Thank You

An exceptional capture of this kookaburra, Toni!

I love the eye details, lovely colors, great lighting, and composition.

Well done and thank you.

Hi Toni, what a beautiful capture this is. The composition, exposure and sharpness are spot on with a great catchlight in the eyes and a lovely BG too. It is an excellent portrait of the bird with its head cocked in a characteristic manner. Nicely done :)

Hi Toni. This is definitely a beautiful sharp and clear composition of a favourite Aussie bird. The details are superb. TFS. Murray.

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