The 20 Of The Most Unique Birds Even Dedicated Bird-Watchers Might Have Never Seen
There are lots of beautiful creatures in the animal kingdom, but some of the most beautiful animals happen to be birds. There are so many different, colorful, unique birds out there that you probably haven't even heard of before.
Let's take a look at some gorgeous feathered friends. Some of these birds are big, some are small, some have long beaks, and some have short beaks. Some swim, some fly, and some can do it all. Get ready to be amazed by these fascinating creatures. Keep reading to learn more.
The Nicobar Pigeon
The Nicobar pigeon is thought to be the closest living relative of the now-extinct dodo bird. They measure about 16 inches in length and they live on the Nicobar Islands.
The Bee Hummingbird
The bee hummingbird isn't just a beautiful bird, it's also the world's smallest bird. Male bee hummingbirds weigh around 0.069 ounces and measure around 2.2 inches in length. These guys are tiny!
The Yellow Cardinal
You've probably seen red cardinals flying around, but did you know that yellow cardinals exist too? The bird pictured above lives in South America, but there are also yellow Northern cardinals that have a genetic mutation that makes them yellow instead of red.
King Of Saxony Bird Of Paradise
The King of Saxony bird of paradise is endemic to the montane forest in New Guinea. The adult male King of Saxony bird of paradise has long blue brow plumes that can be erected independently.
The Mandarin Duck
This isn't your average mallard. The mandarin duck is an Asian duck with some rather showy plumage. Only the male mandarin duck is this brightly colored. The female is a muted brown color.
Andean Cock Of The Rock
This interesting bird is an Andean cock of the rock. The male cock of the rock, pictured here, performs an elaborate mating dance to attract females. These birds are native to Andean cloud forests in South America.
The Ruddy Duck
The ruddy duck can be found in North America in marshy lakes and ponds. Only male ruddy ducks have bright blue bills. Females have black bills and a gray, black, and white body.
The Kingfisher
The kingfisher is known for diving off of a perch to catch fish in the water below. These birds have bright blue and orange feathers, a large head, and a long, sharp beak.
Tufted Puffins
Tufted puffins are little water birds that can be found throughout the North Pacific Ocean. They are smaller than you might think at only 14 inches long. An adult tufted puffin weighs around 1.6 pounds.
The Resplendent Quetzal
The resplendent quetzal can be found in Mexico and South America. These birds are known for their bright green plumage and super long tail feathers. They look iridescent in the light.
The Victoria Crowned Pigeon
Yes, this bird is a pigeon, but it doesn't look like the pigeons we're used to seeing in urban centers. They're actually quite large birds weighing in at 7.7 pounds.
The Keel-Billed Toucan
The keel-billed toucan can be found in the tropical jungles of Mexico and South America. These birds use their large bills to munch on fruit, seeds, insects, lizards, snakes, and even other small birds.
The Ring-Necked Pheasant
Ring-necked pheasants can be found in Europe, North America, and Australia. They are a hybrid form of the common pheasant. These beautiful birds can grow to weigh around 2.5 pounds.
The Peacock
We couldn't talk about beautiful birds without mentioning the peacock. The male peafowl, also known as a peacock, has a gorgeous tail that he shows off to attract a mate.
The Golden Pheasant
Moving on to another beautiful pheasant, the golden pheasant is native to western China. These birds have a deep orange "cape" that can be fanned out as a mating display.
The Rainbow Lorikeet
The rainbow lorikeet is a breed of parrot that can be found in Australia. These birds are super brightly colored, as their name suggests. Both male and female rainbow lorikeets are multicolored.
The Bohemian Waxwing
The Bohemian waxwing is a crested songbird that's mostly brownish-gray in color with some glorious red and yellow wingtips. These birds can be found in North America and the Palearctic.
Vulturine Guineafowl
Vulturine guineafowl can be found in the forests of Central Africa. These birds have a small head and a rounded body. They have gorgeous iridescent blue plumage with white hackles.
The Spectacled Eider
The spectacled eider is a breed of sea duck that can be found near the coasts of Alaska and Northern Siberia. Male spectacled eiders have white eye patches, which is where that "spectacled" name comes from.
Magnificent Frigatebirds
Magnificent frigatebirds live all across southern Florida, Brazil, Mexico, and Ecuador. The male frigatebird has a red gular sac which he can inflate to attract a mate. You can spot those red chests from a mile way.
