Kookaburra Nesting: A Complete Guide

Kookaburra (new dragon horse), known for its distinctive clucking call, is native to eastern Australia but has since been introduced to the south-west of the country, Tasmania and parts of New Zealand’s North Island.

According to a famous nursery rhyme, kookaburras inhabit eucalyptus trees (the common name for eucalyptus trees), but is that an accurate description of their preferred habitat?

If you’re interested in learning more about kookaburra nesting habits and how they raise their young, read on.

Where do kookaburras nest?

Kookaburras are burrow nesters, looking for suitable hollows in which to lay their eggs. They don’t seem concerned about living near humans, and their choice of nesting sites reflects this, with backyard trees increasingly becoming popular spots for nesting pairs to make homes.

Kookaburras are a species of kingfisher known for their skill in building elaborate nests. Many kingfishers will simply dig a basic burrow on a river bank or cliffside and move into it without any finishing touches. Kookaburras are no exception.

Uses the naturally occurring cavities in trees without any additional lining or preparation. Termite mounds on trees can drill into and upgrade into perfectly shaped and positioned nests without much modification.

kookaburra in nest

What does a kookaburra nest look like?

Kookaburras are burrow nesters, often using natural cavities in tree trunks or burrowing into termite nests that form on tree trunks or branches.

Their construction is not particularly complex or elaborate; where natural cavities are used, little additional preparation is required to make them habitable.

Cavities, whether located within trees, dug into river banks, or into termite nests, have a sizable opening that allows adult birds to comfortably enter and exit.

Kookaburra built in termite nest

How big is a kookaburra nest?

The interior of a kookaburra nest needs to provide ample space for rapidly growing chicks, usually 20 to 150 cm (8 to 60 in) wide and 20 to 40 cm (8 to 16 in) tall. The opening of the nest cavity is usually 12 to 15 cm (5 to 6 inches) wide, but can be 8 to 40 cm (3 to 16 inches) wide.

What time of year do kookaburras nest?

A pair of kookaburras start preparing their nest in late August and lay their first clutches anytime from September onwards. Usually by November, or occasionally as late as December, the newest chicks have fledged their feathers.

Kookaburra spreading its wings outside the nest

How Long Do Kookaburras Build Nests?

It takes an average of 24 to 26 days for kingfisher eggs to hatch. Nest building begins shortly before the first egg is laid. Chicks are free to leave the nest after 32 to 40 days, but the extended family stays together long after the chicks are able to feed independently.

How Do Kookaburras Build Nests?

Often, kookaburras will take advantage of naturally occurring cavities in tree trunks. Little to no preparation or lining of the nest cavity is required before the eggs are laid.

On other occasions, male and female kookaburras will work together to dig a burrow-like burrow in a tree branch where termites nest, or a hole in a river bank or cliff.

The size of a termite mound next to a tree is ideal for providing an almost ready-made nesting solution for kookaburras, as they only need minor modifications to adapt to the habitat.

Kookaburra inspecting a tree hollow for potential nesting holes

When do baby kingfishers leave the nest?

Young kingfishers can develop their wings 32 to 40 days after hatching. The family unit stays close, occupying the same territory, and unpaired chicks assist with nest building, including taking turns incubating eggs and bringing food to hungry chicks.

Juvenile kookaburras continue to be fed by their parents and “helper” birds for 6 to 10 weeks.

How many nests do kookaburras have?

It is most common for a pair of kookaburras to raise a young during the breeding season, although it is not unheard of for subsequent broods to be successfully raised. If one clutch fails, another litter will usually be tried.

An average of 2 or 3 eggs are laid per clutch, but a maximum of 5 can be produced. When more than two eggs are laid in a clutch, the first to hatch may gang up on the youngest and weakest hatchling and harass it by pecking and pushing until it dies, or hold it back Eat to make it starve.

Kingfisher chick (right) begging for food

Do kookaburras nest in the same place every year?

Kookaburras are said to show high levels of loyalty to their previous nests where they successfully raised young. There is evidence that nests are reused year after year, sometimes for five years or more. In one documented case, a cavity was used on and off for 60 years.

As they are non-migratory birds, kookaburras remain within their territories year-round and live in tight social groups.

Family members continue to play a role in raising young, and if a pair of kookaburras find a suitable place to brood in the past, they will likely continue to use the same spot in future seasons.

A pair of Kookaburras (Dacelo novaeguineae) nesting in a termite mound

What do kookaburra eggs look like?

Kookaburra eggs are white and round, measuring approximately 36 x 45 mm (1.4 x 1.8 in).

What month do kingfishers lay eggs?

Spawning is usually between September and December, one litter a season is the norm, but a second litter may be successful.

A pair of kookaburras perched together on a branch

Do kookaburras abandon their nests?

Kookaburras are likely to abandon their nest or their young if they sense any kind of threat or disturbance. If you have a nest box in your yard that is being used by kookaburras, resist the temptation to look inside, as disturbance may cause the adults to abandon any young they may have reared inside.

Threats to kookaburra nests include other birds, tree snakes and monitor lizards.

common problem

Do Kookaburras Nest in Backyards?

Backyards are a popular choice for nesting kookaburras to make their homes. They seek out sites with plenty of tree cover for natural shelter, access to fresh water, and plenty of potential habitat such as tree branches and tall hedges. Planting native shrubs will attract lizards and insects commonly eaten by kookaburras.

Do kookaburras use nest boxes?

Kookaburras may use specially-made nest boxes with large openings, and according to research, about 9 percent of recorded kookaburra nests are constructed from artificial boxes.

What tree do kingfishers nest in?

About 60% of kookaburra nests are built in cavities of live eucalyptus, cavities of other tree species account for another 8% of kookaburra nests, while dead trees and stumps are used for another 7% of breeding kookaburra nests.

Adult Kookaburra perched on the edge of a tree hollow, preparing to feed his chicks, Victoria, Australia

Do kingfishers nest on the ground?

Kookaburras are arboreal birds that find empty nests in tree trunks or rotting branches. Nest heights vary widely, with the lowest nests being about 20 cm (7.9 in) above the ground and the tallest reaching up to 60 m (197 ft). Occasionally they also make use of nests built by arboreal termites, which attach themselves to branches or trunks.

Do male kookaburras sit on eggs?

Interestingly, while male and female kookaburra pairs share the hatching task, they also often rely on the presence of a “helper” bird – usually an unmated juvenile in the family – to take on the important egg-warming role And collect food for the hatchlings.

Overnight brooding is undertaken by the female, but males and other family members take turns helping during the day.

Where do kookaburras nest at night?

Kookaburras are highly social birds that live, feed and raise young in communal family groups. Nocturnal roosting is also a communal event, and when night falls, the birds congregate and head to roosts in the high branches of trees, where they huddle together for about 12 hours to conserve body heat. Once they’ve settled on a safe overnight roost, they tend to make a habit of returning there night after night.