Videos in Desc

Needed a preview image for some kookaburra videos, so you get a crappy photo of some crappy kookaburra sketches. Rejoice!

Below are videos of a laughing kookaburra I occationally work with at the local aviary. She's about the only bird I've really been able to videotape, as I usually need both arms and full attention and/or am rushed for time with other birds. Trust me, you don't want to go in with the emu while fiddling with a camera.

Vids:

- [link] RAWR.

- [link] The turkey vultures also like to attack pants, but they tend to be a bit rougher.

- [link] Fear not, despite appearances she is not starving to death. She's actually overweight right now and is on a diet. This has made her more....motivated.

Some info:
Kookaburras are a terrestrial kingfisher. There are four species. In laughing kookaburras, you can still see the very kingfishery blue on their wings. One of my co-workers read a book by some delightfully crazy lady who lived with a flock of laughing kookaburras, and informed me that they lost the vibrant colors of their ancestors as they developed more specialized vocalizations. And wow are they vocal. This particular bird is captive raised and a human imprint. She is a show bird, so she does not behave at all like our exhibit kooks, as they are wary of humans, and just aren't nearly as gremlin-like. I love this bird. So much.

Also....TINY FEET!!!