Kookaburras (genus Dacelo) are terrestrial kingfishers native to Australia and New Guinea. They are large to very large, with a total length of 28–42 cm (11–17 in). The name is a loanword from Wiradjuri guuguubarra, and is onomatopoeic of its call. The single member of the genus Clytoceyx, though commonly referred to as the Shovel-billed Kookaburra, is not treated in this article.
Kookaburras are best known for their unmistakable call, which sounds uncannily like loud, echoing human laughter – good-natured, but rather hysterical, merriment in the case of the renowned Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae); and maniacal cackling in the case of the slightly smaller Blue-winged Kookaburra (D. leachii). They are generally not closely associated with water, and can be found in habitats ranging from humid forest to arid savanna, but also in suburban and residential areas near running water and where food can be searched for easily.
There are four known species of kookaburras found in Australia, New Guinea, and the Aru Islands.
Lightning shot from the sky
It breathed life into every, every living thing
It made you, it made me
It gave us the Kookaburra, it gave us
Frangipane tree
From dusk to dawn and dawn to dusk
The sky will fill with vaporized dust, raining
White on white, like streamers of dirty confetti
White on white, the Chrysler Tower had disappeared
White on white, the capitol dome was invisible
White on white, the hoisted flag had disappeared
It can't be stopped
Thunder clouds are tightening in the sky tonight
We can't be saved
Electricity will scribble out your name
Lightning shot from the sky
It gives, it takes away from every living thing
It made you, it made me
It gave us the terrabyte, it gave us 117
From dusk to dawn and dawn to dusk
The sky will fill with vaporized dust, raining
White on white, like streamers of dirty confetti
White on white, the gleaming spire had disappeared
White on white, and the star was invisible
White on white, the hoisted flag had disappeared
White phosphor rain
And blackout bombs are falling out the sky tonight
We can't be saved
Electricity is crossing out your family name
It made you, it made me
It gave us the Kookaburra, it gave us
Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree
Merry, merry king of the bush is he
Laugh kookaburra, laugh
Kookaburra, gay your life must be
Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree
Eating all the gumdrops that he can see
Stop, kookaburra, stop
Kookaburra, leave some there for me
Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree
Chasing all the monkeys he can see
Stop, kookaburra, stop