kookaburra

[koo k-uh-bur-uh, -buhr-uh] /ˈkʊk əˌbɜr ə, -ˌbʌr ə/
noun
1.
an Australian kingfisher, Dacelo gigas, having a loud, harsh cry that resembles laughter.
Also called laughing jackass.
Origin
1885-90; < Wiradjuri gugubarra (imitative)
Examples from the web for kookaburra
  • Visitors are welcome to enter the aviary with a handful of food to beckon the lorikeet and the kookaburra.
British Dictionary definitions for kookaburra

kookaburra

/ˈkʊkəˌbʌrə/
noun
1.
Also called laughing jackass. a large arboreal Australian kingfisher, Dacelo novaeguineae (or gigas), with a cackling cry
2.
Also called blue-winged kookaburra. a related smaller bird D. Leachii, of tropical Australia and New Guinea
Word Origin
C19: from a native Australian language
Word Origin and History for kookaburra
n.

1890, from a native Australian word.