Getty Images
Kookaburras are native Australian birds that are loved by people of all ages. It’s also common to see (or hear) them around houses, which makes it tempting to feed them. But just what do kookaburras eat and should you actually be feeding them?
While mincemeat is a common choice, not everyone realises that this particular food doesn’t provide the nutrients kookaburras need. It can also contain bacteria, and its soft, sticky texture can be difficult for birds to swallow. So before buying some premium treats for your feathered friends, here’s what to know.
What do kookaburras eat?
In an article published in Australian Geographic, mincemeat is described as similar to “a late-night cheeseburger.”
Like magpies, kookaburras are carnivores that feed on mice, snakes, and small reptiles. Becoming reliant on other human-made food sources means they could be missing out on much-needed calcium.
“Kookaburras are adapted to eat whole prey items, and that prey package includes everything. When you feed them mincemeat, you’re missing all of the bones that provide the kookaburra with calcium,” Michelle Shaw, a Taronga Animal Nutrition Centre nutritionist, told the publication.
“Metabolic bone disease is typical in urban kookaburras. If they don’t get calcium from a food source, they’ll pull it out of their bones to use it for other functions,” she adds.
In the wild, kookaburras typically hunt by perching on a branch or power line and swooping down to catch prey. Their natural diet includes insects, worms, lizards, snakes, mice, and the occasional small bird. The whole prey — including bones, fur, and feathers — provides a complete nutritional package that no human-prepared food can easily replicate.
Can you feed kookaburras bread?
Like mince, bread should not be given to birds, especially kookaburras. While they may eat it, it does not provide the proper nutrition they need and can harm their health. Bread lacks essential nutrients and can lead to malnutrition in birds.
Other foods to avoid include processed meats, raw chicken (which can carry salmonella), and any seasoned or cooked human food. These may seem harmless, but they can cause serious digestive issues and long-term health problems for wild birds.
What can you feed kookaburras?
It’s best to leave the birds alone and not feed them altogether. Instead, providing fresh water is much more beneficial.
However, if you have kookaburras coming to your home that you want to feed, there are some options. In his book Feeding the Birds at Your Table, Darryl Jones says you need to find a suitable insectivore supplement, such as:
- Native insectivore mixes
- Homemade dry porridge
- Rolled pet food meat, aka dog sausage
- Dry dog food soaked in water
- Garden worms and mealworms.
Is it legal to feed kookaburras in Australia?
This is a question many backyard bird lovers ask themselves. The short answer is: feeding kookaburras is not technically illegal in Australia, but it is strongly discouraged by wildlife authorities.
Kookaburras are protected under Australian law — including the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 — as well as state and territory wildlife legislation. This means you cannot harm, trap, or keep a kookaburra without a licence. However, there are currently no specific laws that prohibit feeding them in your own backyard.
That said, some local councils do have bylaws against feeding wildlife in public spaces, and you could face a fine if caught doing so in areas like parks or shopping centres. It’s always worth checking with your local council before setting up a regular feeding station.
Wildlife organisations such as WIRES strongly advise against routine feeding, noting that it can increase aggression between birds competing for food, attract non-native species and pests, and disrupt natural foraging behaviour. The best thing you can do for a kookaburra visiting your garden is to provide a clean source of fresh water — and let them hunt for the rest.
How to attract kookaburras to your garden
To attract kookaburras to your yard, plant native shrubs and trees, like bottlebrush, golden wattle, and paperbark.
These plants support the insects and small animals that kookaburras naturally prey on, making your garden a far more appealing habitat than a handful of mince ever could.
Additionally, installing a bird bath or water feature will help attract birds. Like many birds, kookaburras are attracted to water for drinking and bathing. Just make sure you keep the water source clean and regularly filled.
If you have a larger garden, leaving some areas of longer grass or leaf litter will encourage the worms, skinks, and insects that make up a kookaburra’s natural diet.
Are kookaburras friendly?
Kookaburras are wild birds, and their behaviour towards humans can vary. In general, they are not considered fully domesticated or “friendly” in the way some pets are. However, they may become accustomed to humans, especially in urban or suburban areas where they regularly encounter people.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
