What are the features of a kookaburra?

Answer 1

There are several species of kookaburras, and they are all members of the kingfisher family, so are characterised by having long, strong, straight beaks. The toes of a kookaburra's foot are stuck together in pairs. This helps the bird grasp branches firmly, giving it the ability to stay still for long periods while it awaits movement from its prey.

The most well-known species is the Laughing kookaburra. The largest of the kingfisher family, with a head-tail length of 45 cm, it has a white head (the female's head is yellowish - creamy coloured)with a dark brown stripe through the eye, while its back and wings are barred with brown stripes. The wings also have some distinctive light blue on them. Its tail tends to a more rufous colour, and has broad black bars.

The Blue-winged kookaburra is similar in appearance to the Laughing kookaburra, but it is distinctive for its vivid blue wings and darker blue tail.

The Spangled kookaburra has a white abdomen, and its wings and tail are brilliantly blue. Its head is strikingly mottled white and black.

The Rufous-bellied kookaburra is a very strikingly coloured bird. As suggested by its name, it has a rufous (reddish) abdomen and tail. It has a black back and a black cap, a white stripe which goes from the back of each eye and around e back of its head, and blue-tipped wings. Unlike other kookaburras, this species has a white bill, not a black one.