A Laughing Kookaburra assists in raising Blue-winged Kookaburras’ offspring

P.O. Box 581, Malanda QLD 4885, Australia; Clifford Frith; Mary-Anne Addington; 2 Aitken Avenue, Queenscliff NSW 2996, Australia; Martin Willis; P.O. Box 581, Malanda QLD 4885, Australia

doi:10.20938/afo43024025

A Laughing Kookaburra assists in raising Blue-winged Kookaburras’ offspring

Australian field ornithology 2026 Open access

Read full text

Authors: P.O. Box 581, Malanda QLD 4885, Australia, Clifford Frith, Mary-Anne Addington, 2 Aitken Avenue, Queenscliff NSW 2996, Australia, Martin Willis, P.O. Box 581, Malanda QLD 4885, Australia

DOI: 10.20938/afo43024025

Cited by: 0

Abstract

A Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae, previously reported to have repeatedly inspected a potential nest hollow and mated with an adult male Blue-winged Kookaburra D. leachii on Magnetic Island, north Queensland, in August 2025, was photographed feeding a brood of two juvenile Blue-winged Kookaburras at the same location in late December 2025. This is the first record of a Laughing Kookaburra assisting Blue-winged Kookaburras to raise their offspring, as a cooperative helper.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Avian ecology and behavior Animal Behavior and Reproduction Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior

Publication details

Journal / source: Australian field ornithology
Volume: 43
Pages: 24–25
Publication date: 1 January 2026
Language: EN