Kingfisher in length and between in weight. The largest kingfisher in Africa is the giant kingfisher ("Megaceryle maxima"), which is in length and in weight. The familiar Australian kingfisher known as the laughing kookaburra ("Dacelo novaeguineae") is the heaviest species with females reaching nearly in weight. The plumage of most kingfishers is bright, with green and blue being the most common colours. The brightness of the colours is neither the product of iridescence (except in the American kingfishers) or pigments, but is instead caused by the structure of the feathers, which causes scattering of blue light (the Tyndall effect). In most
Red-backed kingfisher Red-backed kingfisher The red-backed kingfisher ("Todiramphus pyrrhopygius") is a species of kingfisher in the subfamily Halcyoninae, also known as tree kingfishers. It is a predominantly blue-green and white bird with a chestnut rump. It is found across the continent of Australia, mainly inhabiting the drier regions. The red-backed kingfisher was first described by the English ornithologist and bird artist John Gould in 1841. He coined the binomial name "Halcyon pyrrhopygia". It was known for many years by this scientific name before being transferred to the genus "Todiramphus". Its specific epithet is derived from the Ancient Greek words "pyrrho-"/πυρρο- "flame-coloured" or