Kookaburra, Queensland, Australia

While visiting friends in Montville, Queensland, I was greeted by this cheeky kookaburra that flew onto the veranda railing.

He obviously wanted some food but was too lazy or disinclined to find his own. Kookaburras are by no means shy birds but this one was positively brazen.

A few pieces of mincemeat soon made him happy.

The so-called laughing kookaburra (because of its cry) is found throughout eastern Australia. They have been introduced to Tasmania, the extreme south-west of Western Australia and New Zealand.  In central northern and north-western Australia the blue-winged kookaburra is found, with some overlap into Queensland.