The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is mourning the loss of Bloke, the laughing kookaburra, who at age 23 was one of the oldest kookaburras in North America. He died peacefully of old age overnight on Tuesday.

“Bloke was one of several kookaburras on exhibit in the Main Valley before becoming an Animal Ambassador 17 years ago,” said Mike McClure, general curator for the zoo.

“On exhibit, he was known to be aggressive with his prey items and was always leaving a mess for keepers,” McClure said.

“In addition, he was very friendly with staff and would vocalize on command. It was his charismatic ‘laughing’ personality that brought him to the [Animal] Embassy in 1998 for educational purposes, and he thrived on the attention.”

Once He Got Going . . .

“Not only could staff encourage him to vocalize with a little ‘hoot,’ but children on grounds and at school programs could start his call simply by laughing. Once he started calling, no one else could get a word in edgewise,” said Amy Eveleth, animal collection specialist.

The laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) is the largest member of the kingfisher family.

Native to woodlands and open forests in Australia, they are also known as the “bushman’s alarm clock” because of their loud call as they vocalize in their family group at dawn and dusk.

The call sounds like a variety of trills, chortles, belly laughs, and hoots. It starts and ends with a low chuckle and has a shrieking “laugh” in the middle. The song is one way the birds advertise their territory.