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
Great-billed kingfisher Great-billed kingfisher The great-billed kingfisher or black-billed kingfisher ("Pelargopsis melanorhyncha") is a species of bird in the subfamily Halcyoninae. It is endemic to the Sulawesi region of Indonesia. It can be found on the island of Sulawesi and in the Sula Archipelago. There are three recognized subspecies: "Pelargopsis melanorhyncha melanorhyncha" which is found on the islands of Sulawesi, Bangka, Lembeh, Manadotua, Dodepo, Muna, Butung, Labuandata and in the Togian Islands. "Pelargopsis melanorhyncha dichrorhyncha" which is found in the Banggai Islands. "Pelargopsis melanorhyncha eutreptorhyncha" which is found in the Sula Islands on Taliabu, Seho, Mangole and Sanana. Its natural habitat is