Coraciiformes Taxon Advisory Group -

Blue-winged Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii)
SSP Manager: Not a TAG Recommended Species

General Information

 

Description

A very large member of the kingfisher family measuring 38-41cm in body length and weighing between 250-322 grams for males and 260-370 grams for females.

Status

Blue-winged Kookaburra are not globally threatened. They are considered to be fairly common across the majority of their range, even though some suitable habitat is being clear-cut to make way for agriculture. Their range is extending in New Guinea even with forest clearing.

Range

 

Habitat

Savannah woodland, eucalypt woodland and forest, tall trees and woodland along watercourses, mangrove and monsoon forests. Blue-winged Kookaburra typically avoid areas of the forest with dense understories.

Vocalizations

 

Reproduction

Breeding is in either pairs or small groups of birds typically numbering no greater than twelve birds. The breeding group normally is composed of three birds, the breeding pair and one offspring from the previous year. This auxilliary bird assists with nest construction, territory defense, incubation, brooding, and feeding the offspring. The nest site is excavated by both genders and may be located in termite mounds or tree cavities. The clutch size averages two eggs, although larger clutches have been recorded and may be the result of mulitple females laying eggs in the same nest. The eggs are incubated for approximately 24-26 days, and the chicks will fledge from the nest in an additional 36-39 days. Independance from the parents may be as early as 60 days, though some chicks take as long as 4-6 months.

Diet

Wide variety of vertebrates and invertebrates including grasshoppers, crickets, mantids, beetles, cicadas, bees, wasps, millipedes, crabs, crayfish, fish, frogs, lizards, snakes and small birds.

Blue-winged Kookaburra Gallery

Blue-winged Kookaburra Bibliography