Kookaburra, common name for four species of birds living in Australia
and New Guinea. The laughing kookaburra, a stocky grayish bird about 46 cm (about 18 in) long,
is the largest member of its family.
The bird rarely catches fish, living mainly on large insects, mice, small birds, and small snakes.
Its raucous call, which inspired its common nickname of "laughing jackass," is often heard
television and motion picture soundtracks to typify "jungle sounds."
Originally native to eastern Australia, this species was successfully introduced into
the western part of the continent.
A slightly smaller species, the blue-winged kookaburra,
occurs in northern Australia; the two species overlap in Queensland.