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There is no shortage of birds in this world. While the general consensus has long been that there are between 9,000 and 10,000 species on the planet, a study by the American Museum of Natural History suggests that the number could be double that number. That’s a lot of birds, and it suggests that there is much more to it than the blue jays, cardinals, and hummingbirds that most of us are used to. More exotic species often seem funny or strange to us, and there are more than enough strange and unique species to constantly shock and surprise them. We can’t document every strange bird species on the planet, but here are eight of the strangest birds in the world – whether the weirdness is due to their physiology, their habits, or a combination of the two.
# 8: Filipino Eagle – Monkey Eater
The Filipino Eagle easily perceives the cake as one of the strangest national birds in the world – but this is to be expected from the bird also known as the “monkey-eating eagle.” That’s literally, since macaques are one of the most popular dietary options for this eagle. But this is not a picky eater. With an average weight of 10 to 18 pounds and a wingspan of six and a half feet, they are capable of destroying everything from bats to civets.
That intimidating weight – and intimidating nickname – earned it a spot on our list, but it’s also just an odd looking bird. A funny mess of brown feathers on top of its head gives the impression that it has a bad haircut, but unfortunately it is also one of the rarest birds on the planet. It is believed that there are only 400 pairs left in the wild.
# 7: Kakapo is a parrot like no other
At an average weight of four to nine pounds and a height of two feet, the kakapo is the largest parrot on the planet. They are also the only species that cannot fly. Despite this fact, the relatively short wings of the kakapo do serve a specific purpose in their habitat. These wings help them maintain a sense of balance and allow them to glide over branches and tree tops. They are pretty strong runners and great climbers.
Kakapos are only found in New Zealand, and their unusual combination of characteristics will probably allow them to survive only in this unique niche. These sluggish birds are friendly to humans and were once the favorite pets of the indigenous Maori. Unfortunately, they are also endangered.
# 6: Kagu – the ghost bird of New Caledonia
The most obvious feature of the Kagu is the ash-white plumage for which he was nicknamed the “ghost of the forest.” This unique and exotic bird is found only in the New Caledonian island chain, where it is recognized as both a national symbol and an endangered species. This is especially tragic considering how adorable birds they are. Despite their large wings, these birds cannot fly. Instead, they mostly flap their wings to ward off predators from their young. It is believed that the dark stripes on its wings can be distracting.
Even without the ability to fly, these strange birds of the world are capable navigators. Its long legs make it a capable runner, and it is easy for him to jump and weave between thick roots and rocks throughout the house. These large fenders keep him stable when he is at his most athletic.
# 5: Yellow-Brown Frog Mouth – Do Not Confuse With Owl
Although at first glance you might mistake the facial features of the red frog for the features of an owl, their clawed claws prevent them from being classified as these birds. Unable to grab and disarm prey from the air with their feet, they instead rely on their unique beaks to catch food. Their large mouths are very accurate when hunting, but these funny birds also passively catch food, just leaving their mouths open and hoping that the insects will come.
This is often a successful strategy thanks to the exceptional camouflage of the Ginger Frog feathers. When stationary, these birds merge with tree trunks and often adjust their position to look more like a branch or branch. These unique combinations of traits have made them some of the most beloved birds in Australia and Tasmania.
# 4: southern cassowary – funny looking, but dangerous
Southern cassowary is easy to laugh at. Combine an awesome pair of twigs, a head that looks like it was splattered with a random selection of colorful paint, and a special helmet, and you’re left with a bird that looks funny, making it one of the strangest birds in the world. You are less inclined to laugh when you realize that this bird is the second largest in the world and can easily weigh in excess of a hundred pounds. In other words, this is one of the closest examples of a modern dinosaur.
The southern cassowary received the dubious nickname “Killer Bird”. Each toe has a half-foot long claw, and the force of the blow means these birds can gut a person with little effort. They share the dubious distinction of emu, being the only birds to have killed a human.
# 3: burrowing owl – making the most of the environment
Part of the mysterious appeal of owls is that they sit high above us and let the winds carry their haunting sounds. But the burrowing owl is proof that animals can learn to adapt to almost any situation. In the case of the burrowing owl, this means adapting to the meadows they call home by sinking into the ground rather than up towards the sky. These birds form communities that connect their underground burrows and take turns guarding them.
Although they are known for hunting from their places of the night, the relative lack of dense forests and canopies in their environment has also forced them to adapt. A diving owl is as likely to stalk its prey on foot as an attacker. These owls have also been successful – they have created a habitat that stretches from southern Alberta to Mexico.
# 2: Hoatzin – Funky Smelling Bird
Hoatzin looks like it was created using parts from half a dozen random bird species, and the results make this bird one of the strangest looking birds in the world. Found deep in the Amazon, it is a variegated assortment of colors and patterns – complete with claws that protrude outward from their forelimbs. But if it sounds intimidating, it is not necessary. The random selection of characteristics that make up the Hoatzin also makes it an incredibly uncomfortable bird.
Although Hoatzin is capable of flying, it does not do well in the air, and the best escape strategy they have devised for their young is to roll out of their nest into the water when a predator approaches. But the most striking feature of this strikingly bizarre bird is its stench. He has a signature manure smell, for which he received the nickname “Stinkbird”. It is recognized as one of the most stinking animals in the world.
# 1: Great Frigate – Tomato Throat
When you first see the striking crimson neck of the Great Frigate, it’s easy to find it beautiful, but not nearly as remarkable compared to other bird species. But you would change your position if you saw this during the mating season. This is because males of this subtropical bird species can inflate a pouch around their neck until it looks like a huge red balloon. And, oddly enough, it seems that this function exists only as a mechanism for attracting partners. The females do not even have a pouch.
Despite the fact that these birds live in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, they cannot swim. Fortunately, their vast wingspan, which can reach eight feet in males, allows these exotic birds to fly much greater distances than others. Males of this species are considered to have the longest wingspan of any bird on the planet.
Next: What do snakes eat? The food they love and how they hunt their prey
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