Rare and Spectacular Species of Birds from the World
Rare and Spectacular Species of BirdsThe art of bird-watching is
one prized by many millions across the globe. However, in order to
see the most spectacular species of birds, you will have to do a
lot of traveling! Here is a summary of 15 of the most beautiful and
rare species of birds that, unfortunately, are nearing extinction.
Take the ultimate bird watching tour right from your seat!
1. Andean Cock-of-the-Rock
1~A bird almost too beautiful to believe, these colorful
creatures reside in the Andes Mountains of South America. They nest
among the rocks in order to hide their extraordinary appearance
that attracts preying eagles and jaguars. These birds have a
wonderful pompom-shaped crests atop their beaks which are used
during the mating season to attract and impress females.
2.Turquoise-Browed Motmot
2 ~Another bird full of stunning colors, the Turquoise-Browed
Motmot can be found in the tropical areas of South America,
although the origins of the bird trace back to Switzerland. They
live in the thick rain forests where they try to blend in with
their bright colors to hide from prey. Its plumage is extremely
soft and it has a tail that can move in any direction.
3. Kakapo
3 ~The kakapo or the owl parrot is one of the strangest and
rarest nocturnal parrots in the world. The bird also does not fly,
but happens to be one of the longest-living birds. These parrots
are also very heavy and large, reaching a weight of about 7.7
pounds and a height of nearly about 24 inches. Kakapos are common
in New Zealand, and they are known to be extremely smart animals,
getting attached to people who are kind to it. Unfortunately, the
Kakapo is nearly extinction and is considered 'critically
endangered' by many bird specialists.
4. Hooded Pitohui
4 ~The Hooded Pitohui is the famous songbird of New Guinea with
bright black and orange plumage. It is considered to be the only
poisonous bird in the world with feathers that burn at human touch.
The bird is poisonous because it eats Melyrid beetles, which are
themselves poisonous. Their bright plumage is meant to warn other
birds and species not to eat them!
5. Quetzal
5 ~The Quetzal are shockingly colored birds common to western
Mexico and Guatemala. Historically, they were sacred to the Mayan
and Aztec people, who believed that the Quetzal was the God of Air
and used their green tail feathers in spiritual ceremonies. The
bird inhabits the cold mountain woods, and during the dry seasons,
it perches at a height of nearly 10,000 feet!
6. Great Curassow
6 ~The Great Curassow is a large, pheasant-like bird that
resides in the rainforests of Mexico and Central America. This bird
can reach an astounding length of 39 inches and can weigh over 15
pounds! The Great Curassow spends most of its time in tree tops and
nests at altitudes of up to 98 feet. The bird is very sensitive to
human presence and will leave the area at the slightest indication
of people.
7. Malachite Kingfisher
7 ~This river kingfisher is distributed in Africa throughout the
southern Sahara. They have excellent binocular eyesight and can
distinguish between colors, which is rare in all species of bird.
The kingfisher feeds by diving into the water to catch small fish
and worms and it can estimate the depths of water very accurately.
While underwater, the bird's eyes are covered with special
protective skin that allow it to see.
8. Helmeted Hornbill
8 ~This very large and presuming bird is common in the Malay
peninsula, in the areas of Sumatra and Borneo between Malaysia and
Indonesia. They are the largest of the 'rhino' birds in Asia, with
beaks made of pure bone that constitute up top 10 percent of their
weight. The helmet on their beaks are unfortunately collected as
material for handicrafts, despite the fact that they are considered
'near threatened' by most major nature authorities. They have a
very unusual birdsong that resembles musical laughter.
9. Hoatzin
9 ~The Hoatzin is another pheasant-sized bird found in the
swamps, mangroves and forests of the Amazon in South America. They
are also known as 'stinkbirds' because they spend most of their
time lounging on branches digesting their food. These birds have
two claws on each of their wings, which they use for climbing trees
and catching prey.
10. Indian Frogmouth
10 ~The Indian (or Sri Lankan) Frogmouth lives in India and Sri
Lanka in the depths of the tropical forests. The bird is known for
its ability to blend into its surroundings and has remarkable
camouflage abilities. This kind of bird is called a 'frogmouth'
because it has a very wide mouth and feeds on small insects,
animals, and frogs.
11. Ribbon-Tailed Astrapia
11 ~Sometimes called the black bird of paradise, the
Ribbon-Tailed Astrapia's existence was discovered in 1939 when
researchers spotted its unusually thin and long tail feathers on
the hat of an aborigine of New Guinea. The length of their tail
feathers can reach up to 39 inches and are always white in males,
posing a strong contrast to their velvet black bodies and olive
green/turquoise frontal plumage. Because the species is hunted for
its feathers, it is considered 'near threatened' by the nature
specialists.
12. Long-Wattlted Umbrellabird
12 ~The Umbrellabird can be found in very limited areas of
Western Columbia and Ecuador and reaches an impressive size of
about 20 inches, making it easy prey for hunters. Males have an
unusual 14-inch throat sack covered in feathers that resemble
scales. During the mating period, the sack is inflated to attract
females with a low cry that sounds similar to a growl and bleat.
They are also considered a 'vulnerable' species by conservation
specialists.
13. Long-Tailed Widowbird
13 ~The Long-Tailed Widowbird is a common species in the
savannahs and plains of South Africa. Males have a very long tail
feathers that reach a length of about 20 inches (half a meter).
During flight, they spread their plumage to attract females. The
birds are polygamous, and on average there are about five females
per family group.
14. Greater Bird of Paradise
14 ~Common to southwest New Guinea and the Aru Islands of
Indonesia, the Greater Bird of Paradise is an extraordinary bird
that is also known as the 'legless bird-of-paradise'. This is
because, in the 18th and 19th centuries, their skin were set to
Europe without legs, leading to the misconception that the birds
were visitors from paradise that never touched the earth until
their death. Fortunately, the bird is protected today and is ranked
as 'least concern' by conservation agencies.
15. Mandarin Duck
15 ~This fabulous bird can only be found in southwest Asia, in
Russia's Far East during the summer and China and Japan in the
winter. The bird is a fast, maneuverable flyer that takes off
almost vertically. This kind of duck rarely dives, and usually
these ducks perch on tree branches or relax on rocks. This special
bird is highly respected and prized in Asia society.
i don't know how to love him (jesus chist superstar)Andr
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