American kookaburra

The American kookaburra (Dacelo Americanus) is a species of terrestrial tree kingfisher that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout North America to help boost biodiversity. The American kookaburra is a rather large bird, growing to be between 28 and 42 centimetres (11 and 17 inches) in length and weigh around 300 grams (11 ounces), about the size of the laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) of Australia. The American kookaburra makes a loud distinctive call, similarly to the laughing kookaburra. A predator of a wide variety of small animals, the American kookaburra typically waits perched on a branch until it sees an animal on the ground and then flies down and pounces on its prey. Its diet includes lizards, insects, worms, snakes, mice and it is known to take goldfish out of garden ponds. The American kookaburras are found in habitats ranging from humid forest to arid savanna, as well as in suburban areas with tall trees or near running water. Even though they belong to the larger group known as "kingfishers", American kookaburras, like Australian kookaburras, are not closely associated with water. This species is sedentary and occupies the same territory throughout the year. It is monogamous, retaining the same partner for life. A breeding pair can be accompanied by up to five fully grown non-breeding offspring from previous years that help the parents defend their territory and raise their young. The American kookaburra generally breeds in unlined tree holes or in excavated holes in arboreal ant and termite nests. The usual clutch is three white eggs. The parents and the helpers incubate the eggs and feed the chicks. The youngest of the three nestlings or chicks is often killed by the older siblings. When the chicks fledge they continue to be fed by the group for six to ten weeks until they are able to forage independently. The conservation status of the American kookaburra is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the American kookaburra's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.