the kookaburra is an Australian bird also called the laughing kookaburra, because its voice sounds like the laugh of a human. Kookaburras use various sounds to communicate with family members and others to transmit messages to neighbors. They live in small groups of a breeding couple plus some helpers who are generally male. The helpers watch over the chicks, bring them food, and help to protect the territory.

Photo: Hilit Shulov