kookaburra

Because of its loud laughing call, this bird is often called the laughing kookaburra or even laughing jackass. It is the largest member of the kingfisher family and is found in the lightly wooded or open country of Australia where it feeds largely on insects and other small creatures including rodents and reptiles.

Largest of the world's kingfishers, found in Australia, with an extraordinary laughing call. It feeds on insects and other small creatures. The body and tail measure 45 cm/18 in, the head is greyish with a dark eye stripe, and the back and wings are flecked brown with grey underparts. It nests in shady forest regions, but will also frequent the vicinity of houses, and its cry is one of the most familiar sounds of the bush in eastern Australia. (Species Dacelo novaeguineae, family Alcedinidae, order Coraciiformes.)