Shovel-billed kookaburra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shovel-billed kookaburra |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Dacelo
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| Species: |
rex
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| Synonyms | |
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Clytoceyx rex Sharpe, 1880 |
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The shovel-billed kookaburra (Dacelo rex) is a special bird. It is also called the shovel-billed kingfisher. This large bird is about 33 centimeters (13 inches) long. It is dark brown and has a very unique bill. Its bill is heavy, short, and wide, unlike other kingfishers.
This kookaburra has a dark head with a reddish-brown stripe behind its eyes. It has a white throat and a reddish-brown collar around its neck. Its belly and chest are also reddish-brown. The bird has a bright blue rump and brown eyes. Its bill is brownish-black, but often looks brownish because of mud. Both male and female shovel-billed kookaburras look similar. However, you can tell them apart by their tail color. Males have a dark bluish tail, while females have a reddish-brown tail. Young kookaburras look like females, but their feathers have a scale-like pattern.
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About the Shovel-Billed Kookaburra
The shovel-billed kookaburra is a type of tree kingfisher. It is known for its unique bill shape. This bill helps it find food in the ground.
Where Does This Bird Live?
The shovel-billed kookaburra lives only in New Guinea. This means it is found nowhere else in the world. It mostly lives in hill forests. You can find it from sea level up to high mountains. Some have been seen as high as 2400 meters (7850 feet).
What Does It Eat?
This kookaburra finds its food in mud or on wet ground. Its diet mainly includes earthworms and snails. It also eats beetles, lizards, and other insects. The shovel-billed kookaburra is a shy bird. People do not see it very often. It might be most active during dawn and dusk.
How Scientists Classify This Bird
For a long time, the shovel-billed kookaburra was thought to be the only bird in its own group, called Clytoceyx. But in 2017, scientists studied its DNA. They found that it is actually closely related to other kookaburras. Because of this, it was moved into the Dacelo group in 2023. This change was made by the International Ornithologists' Union.
Is the Shovel-Billed Kookaburra Endangered?
The shovel-billed kookaburra is found across a large part of New Guinea. While it is not common, it is not considered to be in danger. Scientists have not found any major threats to this bird. Because of this, the IUCN Red List says it is of Least Concern. This means it is not currently threatened with extinction.
