A few weeks ago I posted about my friend, Nathan Johnson, who just started birding. Nate is an amazing photographer and got into it hard and fast. Since he began birding, he has been texting me pictures when he has trouble identifying the birds he finds. I've gotten pictures of Baltimore Orioles, Nashville Warblers, and all sorts of great local birds from Nate. Well, yesterday he sends me a picture of a pretty funny looking bird. I just assumed his mother or a friend sent him the picture, because it was of a completely foreign bird. Having watched tons of David Attenborough my entire life, I immediately identified it as a Laughing Kookaburra, and didn't think much of it. Nate responded back that it was a new one for him, and he would have to look it up for his list. Ha! What did he mean? Inquiring further, I found out that not only did he take the picture himself, he took it outside in a little park here in Western New York. Amazing find, Nate! The Kookaburra family are the largest of the Kingfishers, and are native to Australia and New Guinea. Unlike our native new world Kingfishers, they eat mostly small mammals, and don't rely much on fish at all. Anyways, I drove down to Burchfield Park in West Seneca today to see if I could relocate the bird, and sure enough... a Laughing Kookaburra in all of its glory is flying around down there. I found the bird just past the pavilion on a red wooden bridge. I observed it trying to eat worms from the ground while I was there. I hope it is finding enough food to survive until someone can figure out where it escaped from, and hopefully return it to its home.
6 Comments
Lenore
6/8/2014 11:43:21 pm
They have them in an outdoor enclosure at the Buffalo Zoo. I haven't heard that one escaped, but maybe they wouldn't publicize it if one did? Has anybody called them and asked?
Reply
Christi
6/9/2014 07:36:42 am
This little guy is one of our newest wildlife education program animals - he's a hand-raised baby and has only been in NY for about a week! In an unfortunate series of events during a training session he managed to escape the handler and flew off into the woods. After finding (but not capturing him!!) again and then not seeing or hearing anything for two days, our hope was dwindling. I am so happy to see this post!
Reply
Melanie Skomra
6/9/2014 11:11:51 am
Rick PLEASE I work w/ Christi- I am the one responsible for allowing this- underestimated beautiful bird- finding a way outside- he is so young. I have felt TERRIBLE & have been worried sick about his survival skills. I can NOT believe the beautiful photos you captured & that you were able to find him!!! Please call us! 716- 913-6034 or the # above!!!
Reply
Melanie Skomra
6/9/2014 11:20:13 am
I also work at the Buffalo Zoo- they did NOT lose any Kookaburra's, but they know I did!
Reply
Harry Seaward
6/9/2014 04:00:10 pm
Sweet prank bro! You totally had those birders going, just like you said they would.
Reply
Suzanne Randolph
8/26/2023 03:56:16 pm
Saw a kookaburra in Jamestown NY today 8/26/23
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Rick BacherI like murderous birds and the things they kill. Archives
August 2015
Categories |