KOOKABURRA

Kookaburras are terrestrial Tree Kingfishers of the genus Dacelo native to Australia and New Guinea, which grow to between 28 cm and 42 cm (11 in to 17 in) in length and weigh around 300 grams. The name is a loanword from Wiradjuri guuguubarra, onomatopoeic of its call. The loud distinctive call of the Laughing Kookaburra is widely used as a ‘stock sound effect’ in situations that involve an Australian bush setting or tropical jungle, especially in older movies.

Even though they belong to the larger group known as "Kingfishers", Kookaburras are not closely associated with water. The name Dacelo is an anagram of Alcedo, the Latin word for a Kingfisher.

Four species of Kookaburra can be found in Australia, New Guinea and the Aru Islands. The Rufous-bellied Kookaburra (Dacelo gaudichaud) – native to the lowlands of New Guinea, the Spangled Kookaburra (Dacelo tyro) – native to the Aru Islands and southern New Guinea, the Blue-winged Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii) – native to northern Australia and southern New Guinea and the Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) – native to eastern Australia introduced to southwest.

Kookaburras are almost exclusively carnivorous, eating mice, snakes, insects, small reptiles and the young of other birds. Unlike many other Kingfishers, they rarely eat fish, although they have been known to take goldfish from garden ponds. In zoos they are usually fed food for birds of prey.

The distinctive sound of the Laughing Kookaburra's call, which sounds like echoing human laughter, is widely used in filmmaking and television productions as well as certain Disney theme park attractions regardless of African, Asian and South American jungle settings. Kookaburras have also appeared in several video games.