The Blue-winged Kookaburra is in the same genus as the Laughing and carries the name Dacelo leachii. The first part of the name is an anagram of the the genus name of the Kingfisher that is found in the UK and the second part for a well known working in the British Museum. The 'joke' in the first part of the name drew the wrath of none other than Mr. C Darwin who said (so I am led to believe) that 'such verbal trifling is in very bad taste'! This may say rather more than is commonly known about Mr. D's sense of humour!
The Blue-winged Kookaburra is found across most of the northern coastal Australia and its range extends about halfway down the east coast. As a result I only see this bird if I am a rather long way from home.
This Kookaburra is about 40cm long, making it a little smaller than the Laughing. The voice of this bird is remarkable - with the description in one of my guides going like this: 'Appalling: a guttural 'klock, klock, developing into a cacophony of mechanical squawks'. A nightingale it is not!
The next set of pictures show a male bird (I am unsure about the ones above) - you can tell this by his blue tail.
Gorgeous birds! And those beaks! Very impressive!
ReplyDeleteCet oiseau est tout simplement magnifique ;-)
ReplyDeleteCéline & Philippe
Great photos of a very beautiful bird and one I hope to see someday.
ReplyDeletePretty little bird, perhaps more fitted for silent movies rather than talkies ! I wish I could see it and even here it for real. I am sure I should already have learned, but I didn't until this post realize that your kookaburras were a variety of Kingfisher. Thank you for hosting and posting.
ReplyDeletePretty bird..I have heard it's sound ,probably in the movies.Huge beaks! Thanks for the history..ENjoy the rst of your week..
ReplyDeleteWhat a great bird Stewart!
ReplyDeletelol, I was looking at the same bird myself for today, But my images for taht day was too bas so I chose a Bustard today :)
ReplyDeleteLove your images, they are beautiful :)
That is a good tale about Charles Darwin. I had vever read before that he had a sense of humour but I guess he needed one after the reaction to his work.
ReplyDeleteAnd here was me Stewart thinking that there was just the one and only famous Kookaburra - the Laughing.
Interesting-looking bird! And loved the story about Darwin!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute bird! Almost looks like he's smiling.
ReplyDeleteLove the blues of this bird. Cool bill to go with the plumage.
ReplyDeleteA new one on me I have only heard of the Laughing kookaburra. Interesting and love the photos. Cheers Diane
ReplyDeleteWhat a unique bird; what a beak in comparison to the its body.
ReplyDeleteWell really, if you look at this bird (so ugly he is cute)what else would you expect to come out of him besides "Klock, Klock, developing into a cacophony of mechanical squawks"
ReplyDeleteI think it compliments what surely is his personality, don't you? He is awesomely awkward looking, but probably a masterful fisherman. Very cool, Stewart :)
As for transplants, I agree a mass transplant is desperately needed, but I would op for a heart transplant because there there is a huge absence of compassion over here. I don't need to tell you how heart breaking all of this is ...
Andrea @ From the Sol
Great photos. I've never seen one outside of an aviary.
ReplyDeleteDidn't know about the anagram. Where would we be without a sense of humor?
;-)
quite intense looking fellow!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos Stewart! His head is BIG.
ReplyDeleteI bet that noise would get annoying after a whilel
Cool!!! I don't think I've actually ever seen a Kookabura!
ReplyDeletePhew, Stewart, what an incredible bill this bird has. Thanks for sharing and also hosting this meme. Have a great day. Jo
ReplyDeleteA handsome fellow!
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful Kookaburra/Kingfisher. Don't faint but I can join in the meme this week.
ReplyDeleteThis is again very different from Indian Kingfisher but very beautiful and colorful...
ReplyDeleteHello, Stewart! What a beautiful bird. I like the blue wing, great bird. Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteStewart, great photos. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThey look like maybe they're the neighborhood toughs.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful, beautiful bird!
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a great week!
Marvelous photos! He certainly has a large head!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing bird! That beak is huge.
ReplyDeleteWow - stunning shots!
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