kookaburra

noun kook·a·bur·ra \ ˈku̇-kə-ˌbər-ə , -ˌbə-rə \

Definition of kookaburra

: a brownish kingfisher (Dacelo novaeguineae synonym D. gigas) of Australia that is about the size of a crow and has a call resembling loud laughter — called also laughing jackass

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Recent Examples of kookaburra from the Web

There is perhaps no better place to go bird-watching this holiday season - and no easier way to get so close to so many exotic flying creatures, including rhinoceros hornbills, Malayan flying fox fruit bats and laughing kookaburras.

— susan glaser, cleveland.com, "Bird-watching in Pittsburgh: National Aviary highlights unusual, intelligent feathered friends (photos)," 20 Dec. 2017
Bee-eaters, ospreys and kookaburras have similar eye-disguising patterns.

— The Economist, "PalaeontologyOne species of dinosaur wore a bandit mask," 26 Oct. 2017
Examples today include raccoons, ferrets, ospreys and kookaburras.

— doyle rice, USA TODAY, "Bandit-masked, feathered dinosaur hid from predators and prey using camouflage," 26 Oct. 2017
The 10-acre ranch is home to more than 100 animals ranging from armadillos, cheetahs and wallabies to Siberian lynx, kookaburra and alligators.

— linda mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Meet rare animals at Wild Wonders event," 17 May 2017
Shows may feature an eagle, a vulture, a condor, a crane or a kookaburra.

— sheldon s. shafer, The Courier-Journal, "Moms get in free to Louisville Zoo on Sunday," 9 May 2017
The final allegro came from a flock of cackling kookaburras outside my villa.

— george epaminondas, WSJ, "Montauk Meets Malibu: Australia’s Eco-Chic Byron Bay," 13 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kookaburra.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.