The Laughing Kookaburra Has the Loudest Call in Australia

by Marco Flores, age 11

The laughing kookaburra is located in different parts of Australia and has one of the most unique sounds in the world.

The kookaburra’s laugh is used in movies to represent the sound of monkeys; it is also the largest bird in the Kingfisher family. Kingfisher birds are usually bright orange or green. The kookaburra has a beige palette and pale gray chest.

The laughing kookaburra is also known as the bushman’s alarm clock, as it has a very loud call that reaches up to 120 decibels. Kookaburras will sometimes make calls for courtship, to show aggression, or when begging for food.

According to a legend in Australia, the laugh is a call for the sky people to light up the sun every morning. They also have speculated that the kookaburra’s laugh can be used as a way to determine the gender of the bird.

The kookaburra uses a unique skill to hunt – it plays dead as its prey walks by, only to then swoop down to catch it. They then bash their prey against a tree branch until it eventually dies and begins to soften up. Then the kookaburra will swallow the prey head first and whole.

The kookaburra is a unique and iconic bird that is known for its distinct laughing call and hunting skills. Today, kookaburras can be seen all around Australia and are a great sight to see!

[Source: San Diego Zoo]