The Kookaburra
(laughing jackass), is a very large bird, growing up to 45 cm (18
inches) long, and a member of the kingfisher family which lives in
Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands in open, wooded country.
They feed on large insects and
lizards and nesting in holes in trees. The most familiar species is
the laughing kookaburra, which is common in many parts of Australia,
especially down the eastern side of the continent.
Its very loud, almost hysterical,
peals of laughter are one of the most conspicuous features of the
Australian dawn.
