Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)
Kingfisher Family
Well-known laughing choruses, mainly at dawn and dusk, by 2 or more birds, often in response to neighbouring group. Laugh has 5 elements: “Kooa”, “Cackle”, “Rolling” as rapid repeated “ooo-ooo-ooo” for 2 seconds, “Haha” loudest element and lasting 2–5 seconds, and male’s “Gogo” as loud distinct “go-go-go” or female’s “Gurgle” as lower-pitched call with longer pauses; much individual variation in sequence of elements, some can be omitted, or rolling and haha elements repeated several times. Given singly, kooa call warns of birds of prey when deep and guttural, gets attention of others in group when softer; repeated “haha” used before attack; “Chuckle” equivalent to rolling element of laugh, repeated “ooo” sounds as contact; “Chuck Call” an abbreviated chuckle, when feeding young; low-pitched “Squawk” a submissive call, by adults when begging for food; “Soft Squawk” when nest-showing; deafening “Screech Call” when two birds fighting. Violent head-shaking after preening sounds like a rattle. Nestlings quiet high-pitched squeak for first week, by 2 weeks incessant lower-pitched whirring call that becomes squealing squawk when adults arrive, used also in alarm; fledglings beg with soft persistent squawk, rising in intensity when adults approach, attempt first laugh at 6 weeks and competent by 3 months"
HBW Alive
Isn't it wonderful = they must have had "a good old laugh" watching the English MENS cricket team in the last couple of months
