Nature does not stop surprising us as more and more species of different animals are discovered around the world. Among these are exotic and special birds that over the years have become a focus of interest for scientists, researchers, and bird watchers alike, thanks to the variety and unique appearance of these winged creatures. If you too are curious about nature and its wonders, we invite you to enjoy pictures of the following 14 exotic and colorful birds that show the magic of nature and its endless variety.
The Bali Bird of Paradise with its impressive tail is found on the island of New Guinea, but even those who visit these areas find it difficult to spot these birds because they live in extremely inaccessible areas. The average length of males in this group is 17 in. while females reach a maximum length of 14 in. During the breeding season, the males begin to dance on the trees while the females, in turn, choose the enthusiastic dancers that impress them most.
The Atlantic Puffin is the only species of parrot found in the Atlantic Ocean. These friendly birds reach a length of 12 in., weigh a maximum of 1 lb. and are found in Greenland, Norway, the British Isles, Iceland, parts of the United States and other parts of the North Atlantic. Parrots of this species tend to rest on the waves and return to land in spring for their breeding period, and although difficult to imagine, they are quite quick reaching a speed of 55 mph!
The unique blue shaded Lear is found in Brazil and has an impressive lifespan of 50 years. Unfortunately, this wonderful bird is on the list of endangered animals with only 1,300 males remaining today. The dilution of the Lear stems from damage to their habitats, hunting, and the exotic animal trade. Although they appear to be on the verge of extinction, conservation groups have managed to protect some of this bird population, and one can only hope that they will also succeed in increasing their numbers in the future.
This delicate bird is a species of African roller found south of the Sahara and in the southern Arabian Peninsula. The Lilac-Breasted Roller doesn’t live in woodless areas, and therefore this species can be found mainly in savannahs and groves. This beautiful bird is Kenya's national bird and it passes its days sitting on treetops searching for insects, lizards, scorpions, snails and other animals that it can eat. Roller males are not particularly large than the females, and their average length is 14-15 in. with a 20-23 in. wingspan that unfolds beautifully during flight.
The Tern is reminiscent of a crow, and it reaches a length of 16-19 in. and weighs about a third of a pound. It is found mainly in South America and is nourished by small fish and crustaceans. In addition to being a patient hunter who glides over the water in search of food, the Tern is also a social bird especially when colonies with several thousand of them are observed. Like other birds, the Inca's males perform complex courtship dances, and when they manage to attract the females with whom they spend their lives, they build a habitat in rock cliffs or sandy beaches.
This bird is known for the magnificent natural crown, which is resplendent in a vibrant red color. Its males have an amazing red crown while the females have a black crown with deep blue edges. Like peacocks, the Flycatchers spread their feathered crown in courtship ceremonies and during violent confrontations with other birds of their species.
The white and yellow king of Saxonys have a distinctive feature - feathers that grow from their face that reach past the length of their bodies. These feathers are used by birds of this type for various courtship rituals they perform in New Guinea, which is their home. The king of Saxony sets up home at a height of over 3000 ft. above sea level. And while they only reach a length of 9 in., their feather crown reaches an impressive length of 20 in., all the more feathers to attract the ladies.
This strange-looking bird is found in India and Sri Lanka and can be easily identified by the horn on its beak. In the past, tribes in India believed that hanging a skull of a hornbill in the house would bring wealth and money, but over the years they stopped with this custom. Experts have not been able to quantify the number of Malabar Pied Hornbill currently in existence, but it is classified as a "threatened species" that may dwindle over the next few years.
Fairywrens are a common songbird in New Guinea and Australia with an impressive blue head that makes its species particularly beautiful. These birds can be found in the mountains, rainforests, plains, deserts, and forests, so they are quite adaptable to different topography and weather conditions. These birds espouse monogamous relationships, but occasionally there are outrageous betrayals among birds who aren’t fond of monogamy.
There is one main difference between male and female Widowbirds, the male tail length is 18 in. during breeding season while female tails grow only 3 in. The males with the most impressive tail can attract up to six females to breed, so their relationships definitely can’t be described as monogamous. Widowbirds can be found in the south of the Sahara, and they were once used by Charles Darwin, the evolutionary thinker, to examine the courtship habits and promiscuity of male birds as a means of attracting females in nature.
Most of us are familiar with the tiny and delicate hummingbird, with one of its most beautiful types being the Horned Sungem, named for the two horns on its head. This species of bird lives in South America, and is the only one extant member of its genus, making it much more interesting. The Horned Sungem is 3 to 4 in. in size, and weighs less than an ounce on average. The Sungems are especially colorful with their green and white bodies, black throats, and the yellow and red horns on their heads. Their wings are brown in color and can be flapped about 10,000 times a minute as it flies or while hovering over a flower to drink its nectar.
The Sun Parakeet is part of the parrot family, and when you look at it, you understand where it got its name from. The plumage of this unique parrot is intense yellow-orange, like the sun, and it is not hard to spot while it flies in its habitat - the tropical rainforests of South and North America. The lifespan of a sun parakeet in captivity is 15-30 years, and the male and female reach a similar length of up to 12 in. and weigh an average of 4 ounces. Before mating, which occurs at the ripe age of one and a half years, the male and female nurture and feed each other and end with 3 minutes of mating at the end of which the female becomes pregnant and later lays 4-5 eggs.
The unusual-looking turaco is a social bird that lives in packs of up to 30 individuals in the Congo and Angola, mainly in the forests. The turaco is nourished by fruits and reaches up to 12 in. in length colored in unique shades of red, green and blue. When the Turaco is excited about something, the crest on its head raises, with each hair on it reaching 2 in. high and attesting to this colored bird’s feelings.
