Description 'Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree, Merry merry king of the bush is he. Laugh, Kookaburra, laugh, Kookaburra, Gay your life must be' The Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) is such an iconic Australian bird that they wrote a song about it (above), which we all knew in England as children. I would love to know if American children sang it too (do let me know if you recognise it) It is hard to believe that the Kookaburra is a Kingfisher, the largest of the family, I understand. It is a tree dweller and a carnivore, feeding on small birds, reptiles and small mammals. They are stocky birds compared to their fishing relatives, and much larger, reaching 17 inches in length. They are most famous for their call (which, of course gives them their name), which sounds like sustained laughter for several seconds and carries large distances. I can do a passable impression, but my children have banned me from doing it ;-)
James Bennett (Mr Bennett Kent), Sissinghurst, Kent, England Member Since July 2014 Artist Statement Fine Art Wildlife and Bird photography from the UK and my travels to America and Australia.
Macro and Extreme Macro photography of insects and plants are also represented, showing the fascinating and strangely beautiful world normally invisible to the naked eye.