Kookaburra Chick Hatches At Cape May County Zoo (See Photo)

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, NJ — If you hear laughter at the Cape May County Zoo, you might be hearing one of its residents instead of a guest. The zoo recently hatched a kookaburra chick, marking the fourth of its Laughing Kookaburras.

The chick hatched around May 25, but didn't fully fledge into his flight feathers until June 28, according to a zoo news release. This is the first chick to this set of parents here at the Zoo, and both parents take part in making sure it’s well cared for. Young kookaburras look extremely similar to adults, but you can tell them apart by their smaller beak and tail feather sizes. Guests are invited to come see if they can tell who is who.

“We welcome the arrival of the new hatchling and look forward to hearing the four-part harmony of their distinctive laughing cackle as they greet visitors to the Zoo,” said Commissioner Vice-Director Andrew Bulakowski.

Kookaburras are native to Australia and are part of the kingfisher family. They are predatory birds and maintain territories. Both parents participate in rearing the chicks, and young kookaburras will stick around to help their parents raise the next set of chicks.

They have a very distinctive song/call, that parents must teach to the chicks after they fledge. The County Parks are open daily from 7 a.m. until dusk; the Zoo is currently open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.