Melanistic Plumage in Blue-winged Kookaburras Dacelo leachii

Abstract

In this note we describe melanistic plumage in the Blue-winged Kookaburra Dacelo leachii, including photographs, of two melanistic birds from Cooktown, north-eastern Queensland. It is thought that the two were an adult and its offspring. We also review other reports of melanism, and other aberrant plumages, in the two species of kookaburra in Australia.