Carlos & Siran Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Just finished feeding the calves, was taking the buckets back to wash them when I spotted a large white bird in the tree outside the cowshed with a swarm of Mina birds circling it and dive bombing it. Then it made that distinctive *KOOKOOOKOOOOKOOOKOKKAAKAAAKAAA* noise, and really loud, then it flew off to another group of trees behind the house and the minas took off after it, it made the Kookaburra noise again then flew off with the minas in fast pursuit. I always thought Kookaburras were about the size and shape of king fishers, but this was much bigger. Bout the size of a large magpie. But what's it doing here???, I've lived in Northland for about 10 years and I've never heard of Kookaburras in New Zealand, let alone Northland?. Do you think I should ring MAFF? not that it'll be here now, the minas really hated it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enzoom1 Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Kookaburras have been in NZ for a long time. My uncle lives in Coatesville (just out of Auckland) in a native bushy area and I remember when I was younger I would hear kookaburras in his bush. Havn't heard them lately though.. This is from the TEARA website on kookaburras in NZ.. Distribution Sir George Grey liberated kookaburras on Kawau Island (near Auckland) in the late 19th century, and this may be the source of the current population. Introductions to other regions were unsuccessful, and their range is small – from Whāngārei to the Waitākere Ranges near Auckland. Their total New Zealand population is 500 birds or fewer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Have heard them but never see one. This should answer your questions. http://www.teara.govt.nz/TheSettledLand ... Birds/5/en Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 My mum says that in the 1950s there was a big population of kookaburras in Grafton Gully in Auckland, before they put the motorway through. Much rarer these days though. You did well to see one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 quite q few around the Omaha/leigh area Heaps of sulpher crested cockatoo out west as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-town... Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 we have kookaburra out waitakeres apparently they escaped from the zoo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
repto Posted July 18, 2009 Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 they are all from governer gray`s releases on kawau island,have not really ever had population explosions due to a lack of prey items over here,I read somewhere.I am wondering if this may change in the future with the spread of the rainbow skink?maybe not in my time but who knows in years to come? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedazzled Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Just finished feeding the calves, was taking the buckets back to wash them when I spotted a large white bird in the tree outside the cowshed with a swarm of Mina birds circling it and dive bombing it. Then it made that distinctive *KOOKOOOKOOOOKOOOKOKKAAKAAAKAAA* noise, and really loud, then it flew off to another group of trees behind the house and the minas took off after it, it made the Kookaburra noise again then flew off with the minas in fast pursuit. I always thought Kookaburras were about the size and shape of king fishers, but this was much bigger. Bout the size of a large magpie. But what's it doing here???, I've lived in Northland for about 10 years and I've never heard of Kookaburras in New Zealand, let alone Northland?. Do you think I should ring MAFF? not that it'll be here now, the minas really hated it. Hi Carlos, is your farm near maungatapere by any chance? There is supposedly kookaburras out there, My dad saw/heard them when he was working out there. Can't remember the name of the road now but they have been there for years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 ^ I grew up in Maungatapere and have seen/heard kookaburra out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos & Siran Posted August 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Hi Carlos, is your farm near maungatapere by any chance? There is supposedly kookaburras out there, My dad saw/heard them when he was working out there. Can't remember the name of the road now but they have been there for years Nar, we're in Kamo which is north, perhaps he was going on a tiki tour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 i'll take 2 please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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