Laughing Kookaburra - Taxonomy

Taxonomy

Scientific name: The Laughing Kookaburra was first described in western knowledge systems by French naturalist Johann Hermann in 1783, its specific epithet novaeguineae refers to New Guinea. For many years it was known as Dacelo gigas.

Vernacular name: The species was previously known as the Laughing Jackass and Giant Kingfisher. Its current name comes from Wiradhuri, an Aboriginal language now effectively extinct.