Page 78 - Atlas Of The World's Strangest Animals

78 ATLAS OF THE WORLD’S STRANGEST ANIMALS

Laughing Kookaburra

Laughing kookaburras are members of the well-known and dramatically

colourful kingfisher family (order Coraciiformes).These handsome birds make
their homes all over the Old World of Africa, Asia and Europe but, like
many of Australia’s native species, the Antipodean kookaburras are real
ornithological oddities.

Key Facts ORDER Coraciiformes / FAMILY Alcadinidae /
GENUS & SPECIES Dacelo novaeguineae Bill
A stocky bill can grow to 10cm
(3.9in) long.A hook on the tip
Weight 368–455g (13–16.1oz) helps grip struggling prey.
Length 39–45cm (15.3–17.7in)
Sexual maturity 1 year

Breeding season October–November
Number of eggs 3, but second clutch is possible
Incubation period 25–29 days
Breeding interval Yearly
Tail
Typical diet Small rodents and reptiles
A relatively short tail is rusty
Lifespan Up to 11 years in the wild; red with dark brown bars and
20 in captivity.
splashes of white on the tips of
the feathers.

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