A Keen Eye

Pastel on Pastelmat (Sold)

51 cm W x 67 cm H
The Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) is arguably the best-known and most loved bird of Australia with its highly distinctive raucous “laugh”. The loud ‘koo-koo-koo-koo-koo-kaa-kaa-kaa’ is however not really the kookaburra laughing but actually a territorial call to warn other birds to stay away. Laughing Kookaburras feed mostly on insects, worms and crustaceans, although small snakes, mammals, frogs and birds may also be eaten. Prey is espied and then seized by pouncing from a suitable perch, as shown in my artwork. Small prey is eaten whole, but larger prey is killed by bashing it against the ground or tree branch.