Some birds grow up to be cool, and some birds are born cool. Here are three bird species we think look fiercely cool and ready to take the spotlight.
Pesquet’s Parrot
Pesquet’s Parrot, also known as the Vulture Parrot or the Dracula Parrot, is a bird that lives up to its other two names thanks to it having a vulture-like head paired with its vampire black and blood red colors. Don’t worry, it doesn’t drink blood!
- Scientific Name: Psittrichas fulgidus
- Length: 18 in/46 cm
- Weight: 24-28.2 oz/680-800 g
- Diet: Figs, nectar, flowers, and blossoms
- Habitat: Montane and hill rainforests in New Guinea
Fun Facts!
- Only males have some red coloring on the black feathers that are near the back of their eyes.
- Despite its vampire-like appearance, it’s more active during the day.
- It is thought to have a vulture-like head to allow it to eat sticky fruit without making a mess.
Sources: Animalia, Australian Geographic
Southern Cassowary
The Southern Cassowary is a bird that looks like it stepped right out of Jurassic Park. It’s colorful, fast, is armed with long and sharp claws, and can jump high, kick hard, and swim well. It’s not a bird you want to mess with!
- Scientific Name: Casuarius casuarius
- Length: 50-66.9 in/127-170 cm
- Weight: 63.8-128.7 lbs/29-58.5 kg
- Height: 4.9-5.9 ft/1.5-1.8 m
- Diet: Fruit, carrion, invertebrates, and small vertebrates
- Habitat: Rainforests, savannas, and mangroves in New Guinea and Queensland, Australia
Fun Facts!
- It’s considered the most dangerous bird alive due to its powerful kicks and sharp claws.
- It’s the second biggest bird that’s currently alive on this planet.
- It doesn’t have the ability to fly.
- Its dinosaur-like feet are tipped with sharp claws, with its inner toe claws being able to measure up to 4.7 inches/12 centimeters.
- Females are larger in size, more colorful, and have bigger beaks and head crests compared to males.
- It can run up to 31 miles/50 kilometers per hour, jump up to almost 7 feet/2 meters high, and swim well.
Check out the crazy noise it can make!
Sources: Animalia, San Diego Wildlife Alliance
Bearded Vulture
The Bearded Vulture, also known as the Huma Bird or Homa Bird, is a bird that looks like something straight out of mythology, like a dragon! It’s awesome looks and colors are definitely a sight for all to behold and be amazed by.
- Scientific Name: Gypaetus barbatus
- Length: 37-49.2 in/94-125 cm
- Weight: 9.9-17.2 lbs/4.5-7.8 kg
- Diet: Bone marrow and carrion
- Habitat: Grasslands, shrublands, woodlands, and forests in Europe, Asia, and Africa
Fun Facts!
- 70% to 90% of its diet consists of just bone marrow!
- Its orange or rust-like colors might come drinking water that is rich in minerals. They might also come from mud or dust baths.
- It shows intelligence through its problem-solving skills. It knows that dropping bones from high heights will break them and expose their bone marrow. They are also known to drop live prey from high heights to kill them, especially turtles so that their shells can crack open.
Sources: Animalia
What amazing birds both in looks and abilities! Just be wary of the Cassowary…
If you want to look at birds that are cuter and cuddlier, flutter on over to the Cute 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.