We had a visit from a friendly kookaburra in our backyard this morning. It even stuck around to let me photograph it:
And then it flew away!
I love hearing Kookaburras laugh... it always makes me feel happy, even though I know they are not really laughing.
Source: Youtube by Caryotagigas Birds Animals Palms
Kookaburra call (Two Laughing Kookaburra Laughing) SO LOUD!
Kookaburras are kingfishers, so they are amazing hunters. They will perch in a tree to seek out their prey, and then swoop down and take it. I remember once going on a picnic with a friend who was telling a story while she was eating a chicken drumstick. She waved the drumstick in the air to make a point, and a kookaburra swooped down and stole the food right out of her hand!
Kookaburras are also the star of a song most Australian kids learn at some point:
Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree,
Merry merry king of the bush is he.
Laugh, Kookaburra, laugh, Kookaburra,
Gay your life must be!
And most kids come up with a naughty version at some point, such as:
Kookaburra sits on the elecric wire,
Jumping up and down with his bum on fire,
Short, Kookaburra, short, Kookaburra,
Short your life must be!
~ Seajai