Spangled kookaburras (Dacelo tyro) are found in southern New Guinea and (historically) the Aru Islands in wooded dry savanna, in thickets of Dillenea alata on swamp margins, and in mosaics of monsoon forest, thickets, and Melaleuca savanna woodland, as well as in dense monsoon and riverine forest. They keep mostly to the understorey, feeding mainly from a perch 1 to 4 m high. The spangled kookaburra's nest is excavated in a termitarium above the ground (it is possible that tree cavities are used as well). Although the spangled kookaburra is relatively common within its range, the restricted distribution make the species somewhat vulnerable.