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
Sombre kingfisher The sombre kingfisher occurs only on Halmahera, where it inhabits primary forest (frequently close to clearings), swamp-forest, mature secondary woodland, and mangroves. It may visit cultivated areas such as plantations. The species has been protected under Indonesian law since 1931 and benefits from several protected areas. However, it is currently classified as vulnerable by the IUCN, mostly due to ongoing habitat loss through forest clearance for timber, conversion to agriculture, and other uses. Sombre kingfisher The sombre kingfisher ("Todiramphus funebris") is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae. It is endemic to island of Halmahera, in North Maluku, Indonesia.