Head to head
Shovel-billed Kookaburra vs Laughing Kookaburra
The shovel-billed kookaburra and laughing kookaburra are both large kingfishers that have abandoned fishing for a life hunting on land, though their methods could hardly differ more.
| Shovel-billed Kookaburra | Laughing Kookaburra | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Clytoceyx rex | Dacelo novaeguineae |
| Bill shape | Massive, shovel-shaped | Large, dagger-like |
| Primary prey | Earthworms, dug from the ground | Snakes, lizards, mice |
| Native range | New Guinea only | Much of Australia |
| Signature trait | Digging bill | Famous laughing call |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Habitat | Forest | Forest, grassland |
Shovel-billed Kookaburra vs Laughing Kookaburra: common questions
How is the shovel-billed kookaburra's hunting different from the laughing kookaburra's?
The shovel-billed kookaburra digs earthworms directly out of the forest floor using its uniquely shovel-shaped bill, while the laughing kookaburra hunts snakes, lizards, and mice from a perch, a more generalist land-hunting style.
Which is more famous, the shovel-billed kookaburra or the laughing kookaburra?
The laughing kookaburra is far more famous worldwide, known for its cackling dawn chorus, while the shovel-billed kookaburra remains a comparatively obscure species restricted entirely to the forests of New Guinea.
Do both species avoid fishing entirely?
Yes, both species have moved away from the fishing lifestyle typical of most kingfishers, though the shovel-billed kookaburra's specialised earthworm-digging bill represents an even more extreme departure than the laughing kookaburra's broader land-based diet.