Dacelo novaeguineae

The giant kingfisher, or laughing kookaburra, is actually the world's largest kingfisher, though it has taken to dry land and forests, forsaking a fish diet.

Their size and weight are 16 to 18 inches and 3/4 pound. The bill is 2.5 inches. Their wings are small for the bird's body size and flights of a few hundred feet are usually its limit. Its legs are short as are those of all kingfishers. Vision and hearing are very keen. The very heavy, wedge-shaped bill facilitates snake and lizard hunting.

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