The laughing kingfisher, scientific name: Dacelo novaeguineae (Hermann, 1783), is a fish-eating bird of the genus Kingfisher in the family Kingfisheraceae, with a body length of 42-46 cm, a beak length of 8-10 cm, and a weight of 500 g. It is one of the two largest kingfishers in the kingfisher family, along with the big fish dog. It is named after its chirping sound like wild laughter.
The laughing kingfisher has a large white head and a small brown hat on the top of its head. The cheeks have brown patches. The beak is large and powerful, black. Considered one of Australia's iconic birds, the kingfisher was used as a mascot at the Sydney Olympics.
2019.05.18 Photo in St. Louis