Kookaburra

Dacelo novaeguineae

Kookaburras are the large terrestrial kingfishers native to Australia and New Guinea. Kookaburras are best known for their unmistakable call, which is uncannily like loud, echoing human laughter. They are carnivorous birds, eating lizards, snakes, insects, mice and raw meat. Kookaburras are 17 inches in height, the upper parts are dark brown, the wings spotted gray-blue. A white band separates the head from the body. There is a dark stripe through the eye, the under parts are white, and the strong bill is black.