Kookaburra
This article is about the genus. For the eponymous species, see Hunter's Kingfisher.
The hunter-lieste (Dacelo), English Kookaburra (loanword from Wiradjuri), form a type of the birds within the family of the kingfishers (Alcedinidae).
This genus includes four species that occur in Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea.
The hunter-lies are big, up to 48 cm long, predominantly brown-gray and whitish colored birds.
They live in family groups in open forest areas, but also come to the parks of cities. They hunt mice and other small animals, especially reptiles and snakes. The young help their parents raise the next brood, especially red-belliedlies. As brood helpers, they thus learn the brood business and improve the chances of survival of the siblings.
The call of the Jägerliests (Dacelo novaeguineae), also called "Laughing Jack", 
. Because of its size it is formally also called Dacelo gigas.
Types
- Hunter's Kingfisher, Laughing Jack (D. novaeguineae)
- Crested Kingfisher (D. leachii)
- Aruliest (D. tyro)
- Rufous-bellied Kingfisher (D. gaudichaud)
