Birdsong field guide
Shovel-billed Kookaburra
Dacelo rex
A large, elusive forest kingfisher of New Guinea, uniquely adapted with an exceptionally broad, spade-shaped bill for specialized ground-foraging.
What it sounds like
A series of loud, hollow, barking or rattling notes that typically descend in pitch and speed.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto
Field notes
- Its massive, heavy bill is specifically adapted for digging into damp soil and leaf litter to extract earthworms and snails.
- Unlike most other kingfishers, it is primarily crepuscular or nocturnal, becoming most active during twilight hours.
- The species is the sole member of the genus Clytoceyx, though it is closely related to the more common kookaburras of the genus Dacelo.
- Its bill is noticeably shorter and significantly wider than those of its relatives, featuring a hooked tip on the upper mandible.
- It is notoriously difficult to observe in the wild due to its shy nature and preference for the dark interior of dense rainforests.
Habitat
Lowland and hill rainforests, typically in areas with soft, damp soil or near forest streams.
Range
Endemic to the island of New Guinea.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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