Bazza the Kookaburra (Original)

The seventh of my series of Australian birds entitled "Flummoxed Flock". This is one of my last available pieces, the others have all sold.

Though the Blue-winged Kookaburra is only slightly smaller than its more famous relative, the Laughing Kookaburra, it is, nevertheless, one of the world’s largest kingfishers. Blue-winged Kookaburras inhabit northern and north-eastern Australia, and this range overlaps with that of the Laughing Kookaburra in northern and eastern Queensland, where both species may inhabit the same forests or woodlands. Both emit a loud, raucous cackling call that has been described as ‘extended maniacal laughter’, but, alas, the Blue-winged Kookaburra’s laugh is said to ‘lack the same sense of humour’.

The Blue-winged Kookaburra is found in coastal and subcoastal areas in northwest and northeast Australia, Torres Strait and Southern New Guinea. It is widespread in the Gulf Country of Queensland extending South to about Toowoomba. It is also widespread in the top end of the Northern Territory. It is absent from the Eighty Mile beach area in Western Australia separating the Pilbara population.

Blue-winged Kookaburras are found in tropical and subtropical open woodlands, paperbark swamps, timber on watercourses, clearings, canefields and farmlands.

This particular specimen was captured in quite a quirky pose. He looks with curiosity at the viewer. Actually, maybe a little aggressively... but this is contrasted with the coolish pallet and splatters which gives this whole composition a quirky feel.

Reference photo used with permission from Roger MacKertich. 

This is an original acrylic painting, 122cm x 122cm with a dark purple border. It is unstretched and will be posted in a tube and will require stretching by its new owner.

Alternatively, stretching and/or framing can be arranged for a fee, on request.

This item will ship internationally in a tube.