Dacelo novaeguineae novaeguineae
Eastern and southern Australia
Wild - Small snakes, large insects, termites, lizards, chicks, fowl, small mammals
Zoo - Bird of prey diet; mice periodically
Brownish-gray; large pointed bill characteristic of the kingfishers
- Beak -- seizes snake behind head, kills by dropping from a height, or carries to a perch and batters senseless with big bill before ingesting
- Voice -- strangely human laughing cry; wild chorus of crazy laughter as roost in tree tops. Call is so regular that in Australia it is known as the "Bushman's clock."
Generally live in pairs or in small groups in open woodlands.
Both male and female incubate eggs for 25 days.
Not threatened; common; benefited from human settlements