Australia's beloved Kookaburra.
Growing up surrounded by bushland with a nature reserve behind my mothers place we had many kookaburra's who took up residence in our backyard.
The kookaburra is the largest member of the kingfisher family with an average beak length of 10cm and an average height of 42cm.
The kookaburra is well known for its laugh or song which resembles the sound of human laughter. Though we associate laughter as being joyous, the Kookaburras's laugh is used to ward off other birds who may be threatening the kookaburra's territory.
On the rare occasion I've witnessed a kookaburra eat a small blue tongue lizard and even a baby brown snake from our garden. I was relieved to see the snake go. My cat had been playing with the snake earlier and though it seemed it hadn't bitten her I didn't want it hanging around for her to find again. The kookaburra has been known to eat other small birds but will mainly consume small insects, amphibians and mice. These guys are brave enough to steal a snag off the BBQ if left unattended so keep an eye your lunch or you'll be sharing.
I took this picture when on one of our morning walks up Mount Tomaree in Port Stephens NSW
Peace :)
