From inland Cape York Peninsula, south throughout eastern Australia to southern South Australia and Kangaroo Island. Introduced to Western Australia and Tasmania.
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 65,000,000 (2010).
Nest
In a hollow of a tree, in a chamber tunnelled into a termites' nest in a tree, or, more rarely, in an earthen bank.
Eggs (Guide)
1 - 4, usually 2; white; rounded; about 46 x 36 mm. Incubation: about 24 days beginning with the laying of the first egg; by female with helpers.
Young
Altricial, nidicolous. Fledge in about 35 days. Fed by all members of the group.
Subspecies
Long known as Dacelo gigas, but name novaeguineae (dating to same year) has priority. Species does not occur in New Guinea, and Sonnerat's first description of it from there seems to have been a deliberate falsification.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
novaeguineae (Hermann, 1783) - Eastern and south-eastern Australia, introduced to Tasmania, south-western WA and New Zealand.
minor Robinson, 1900 - Cape York Peninsula, south to about Cooktown.
Similar Species
In eastern and north-eastern Australia possibly with Blue-winged Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii).
References
See References.
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9
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