Arguably, all birds are cute birds, but some are cuter to a wider audience of people than others. Here are three bird species we think will make you go “Awww!“
Emerald Toucanet
The Emerald Toucanet is a small toucan bird that looks like if a ripe green fruit became a bird. Its small body makes its large beak look a bit comical, but we’re not making fun of it. In fact, we’re adoring it!
- Scientific Name: Aulacorhynchus prasinus
- Length: 12-14 in/30-35 cm
- Weight: 4.2-8.1 oz/118-230 g
- Diet: Fruit, insects, eggs, and lizards
- Habitat: Woodland and forest mountains in Mexico and Central America
Fun Facts!
- Male and female Emerald Toucanets look similar to one another, but the bills of the females are a bit shorter than those of the males.
- Its flocks have one designated leader who all of the other flock members follow.
Sources: Animalia
Atlantic Puffin
The Atlantic Puffin is a marine bird with a very bright and fashionable beak. Its eye pattern also makes it look like its perpetually sad. Don’t you just want to give it a hug?
- Scientific Name: Fractercula arctica
- Length: 10-11.5 in/26-29 cm
- Weight: 11-17 oz/320-480 g
- Diet: Fish and crustaceans
- Habitat: Land and water across the North Atlantic Ocean
Fun Facts!
- The shape of its beak allow it to carry multiple fish at once. There’s a record of a puffin holding 83 sand eels at the same time!
- The oldest one recorded was 41 years old, but it’s possible that Atlantic Puffins can live longer than that.
Sources: All About Birds, Audubon, WWF
African Pygmy Falcon
The African Pygmy Falcon is a small bird of prey that looks so fluffy and adorable! That pointy beak and those sharp talons might make it a bit difficult to cuddle with, however.
- Scientific Name: Polihierax semitorquatus
- Length: 8 in/20 cm
- Weight: 1.9-2.7 oz/54-76 g
- Diet: Insects, reptiles, small birds, rodents, and other small mammals
- Habitat: Savannas, grasslands, and shrublands in Eastern and Southern Africa
Fun Facts!
- It’s the smallest bird of prey in Africa.
- Males have gray backs while females have reddish-brown ones.
- It makes its home in the nests of other birds instead of making its own nest.
Sources: Animalia, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
These birds are pretty cute, right? They look like little stuffed animals!
If you want to look at birds that are more on the “cooler” side, swoop down to the Cool Birds page. If you want to see birds that might send a shiver down your spine, take a cautious fly over to the Creepy Birds page.