Laughing Kookaburra vs Tahiti Kingfisher
Dacelo novaeguineae compared with Todiramphus veneratus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Laughing Kookaburra | Tahiti Kingfisher |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dacelo novaeguineae | Todiramphus veneratus |
| Order | Coraciiformes | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae | Alcedinidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | 43.0 cm (16.9 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 65.0 cm (25.6 in) | 19.1 cm (7.5 in) |
| Weight | 340.0 g (11.99 oz) | 50.5 g (1.78 oz) |
| Diet | Insects, lizards, snakes, small mammals, birds, and crustaceans. A sit-and-wait predator that swoops from a … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Laughing Kookaburra
Eucalyptus forests, woodland, and suburban gardens throughout eastern and southwestern Australia.
Song & Call Comparison
Laughing Kookaburra
The eponymous call: a loud, rollicking laughter 'koo-koo-koo-ka-ka-ka-ka', rising then falling. Family groups call together creating a cacophony. Iconic sound of the Australian bush.
Tahiti Kingfisher
Geographic Range & Migration
Laughing Kookaburra
Eastern Australia from Cape York to South Australia and Tasmania. Introduced to southwestern Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand.
Tahiti Kingfisher
Conservation Status
Laughing Kookaburra
Tahiti Kingfisher
How to Tell Them Apart
Laughing Kookaburra
Brown upperparts with blue patches on the wings and rump. Creamy white head and underparts with a dark eye stripe. Dark brown tail with rufous barring.
Very large, heavy, dark upper mandible and pale lower mandible
Tahiti Kingfisher
About These Birds
Laughing Kookaburra
The laughing kookaburra is the largest kingfisher in the world, famous for its raucous laughing call that has become an iconic sound of the Australian bush. Despite being a kingfisher, it rarely eats fish, preferring terrestrial prey. Family groups perform chorus calls at dawn and dusk to mark their territory.