Wednesday 1 November 2017

Wild Bird Wednesday 275 - Laughing Kookaburra

My brother-in-law is lucky enough to have a Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) nesting in his family garden.  The Kookaburra has taken up residence in a box originally intended for possums - but I don't think they care!

The Laughing Kookaburra is the world largest kingfisher - and is a great bird to watch.  I may have to go back this weekend to see what is happening at the nest, and also try to nail some more inflight pictures.  I am being a little hampered here as one of my lenses is in hospital!  Oh well.

The slightly unsavoury image in the middle is exactly what you think it is!  What goes in, must come out!











I suspect that somebody - although not my brother-in-law - is feeding these birds, as one of the shots seems to show the bird carrying minced meat.  At other times the adults returned with worms and a small lizard.  Hungry chicks need feeding!

As ever (for the 275th time!) you can join in with WBW by clicking on the blue button below the thumbnails.  cheers  SM



26 comments:

  1. Wonderful images of this iconic bird (favorite in movie sound tracks)!I would not complain about the equipment here as you could not have captured more detail and excellent poses.

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  2. Hari OM
    a true icon of the Aussie bush - and suburbs! One place I lived in North Sydney, we had a whole family of kookas who jolly well knew how to 'work the system'. And we loved them for it. &*> YAM xx

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  3. Love the beaks on these guys! The pattern in the tail feathers is beautiful!

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  4. Yes I alawys loved seeing and hearing these birds. Thanks for hosting but I do NOT see the blue bbutton Stewart!

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  5. Lovely work Stewart. Great pin-sharp pictures. the post says link open in 4 hours!

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  6. This is more than AWESOME ... I love all of the KingFishers and to see a monther feeding her babies ... I love it. I agree, you should go back. I want more ... more and more :) And, how awesome a black swan flying over your house ... where was it going, or do you know? All of our swans are white so a black swam would be a treat. I have been told that there are a few black swans around, but I have never seen one. I am sure they are imports if they are here. Great post, Stewart ... I await your followup :)

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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  7. Hi Stewart, what a privelege for your BIK to have this awesome bird nesting in his garden. And what a treat for us that you're capturing the parenting. Thanks and thank you for hosting this eme. I'll link up tomorrow when it's Wednesday arrives in our part of the world. Have a great day. Jo

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  8. BIL not BIK *Brother in law

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  9. The bird has a huge head and beautiful colouring. Such a treat to see it! Thank you.

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  10. Loved this bird and I was lucky enough to see one when we were in Australia. Great shots including the middle one :-) Cheers Diane

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  11. such a cool bird ... nice of it to pose so beautifully in exchange for the bird seed! Last week you showed me the turnstone, a bird I see in Florida.... I wish I could say the same thing about the Kookaburra! Would love to see it in real life.

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  12. Such a cute little bird! Great photos.

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  13. Great photos of the Kookaburra, You are very fortunate to have one nesting so close. I hope you have some more photos next week also!

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  14. Wow, that's an amazing bird captured beautifully!

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  15. I also wish a Dacelo novaeguineae in the garden! An amazing bird!

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  16. this was one of my favorite birds in Queensland :)

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  17. Thanks Stewart for capturing these lovely images. We are very privileged to have these guys in our backyard. So close to our kitchen window that we watch them all the time. Hope we get to see the chicks as they leave the nest!

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  18. Great series of images, Stewart. I had not realized that this species used nest boxes. I have very fond memories of watching a family of them in New South Wales. I hope to see the species again next year.

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  19. Stewart, love this bird. Thanks for sharing.

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  20. I'd go back daily to watch - what a great bird family to be able to observe! I bet the youngsters will soon be making a ruckus.

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  21. Oh my goodness, Stewart...I think I'm in LOVE with that bird...that face is just too precious!!!!...:)JP

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  22. These are great images ...

    All the best Jan

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  23. Absolutely stunning - love the detail on the feathers.

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