While the koala or kangaroo would be Australia’s most iconic mammals, the laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) is one of the country’s most recognisable birds. It also has an equally recognisable sound: a distinct, loud, laugh-like call from which it derived its name. The kookaburra is from the kingfisher family and are able to hunt most animals that are smaller than they are.
