7 MOST UNIQUE BIRDS IN THE WORLD
As bird lovers, we know that these are the most beautiful creatures in the world and also – the most vulnerable. Human activity, deforestation, and other world-changing conditions have made a huge impact on our feathery friends and many are now on the brink of extinction thats why it comes under the list of most unique birds in the world.
1. SOUTH PHILIPPINE DWARF KINGFISHER
For the first time in 130 years, this Philippine-based bird has been spotted, and for the first time ever - photographed and exposed to the world!
One of the most unpredictable flyers, this cute little species managed to evade us since 1890.
The South Philippine dwarf kingfisher has a stunningly coloured plumage with a kaleidoscope of metallic lilac, orange, and bright blue spots. They breed and roost in tropical or subtropical habitats such moist lowland forests. Their numbers are endangered to habitat loss thats why it comes under the list of most unique birds in the world.
2. NEW ZEALAND ROCK WREN
As one hears from the name, the New Zealand rock wren is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Its Māori name, pīwauwau, means "little complaining bird" and mātuitui which means "twitch", after its bobbing motion.
The New Zealand rock wren is not the best flyer, it can hardly manage more than 7 feet off the ground or distances of more than 100 feet! They hop and run in a very unusual way as they bob their heads and flick their wings.
They have long stout legs, making them good rock climbers. They can survive in high altitudes, with snow year round, up to a height of 1000 feet.
Rock wrens eat mainly invertebrates from the ground, as well as berries, seeds and nectar from flax flowers thats why it comes under the list of most unique birds in the world.
The New Zealand rock wren population decreased dramatically almost by 50% between 1985-2005. The remaining survivors were removed to the southern tip of the southern island for conservation, closely monitored and kept away from their main predators, stoats and rats.
3. RUFOUS-HEADED HORNBILL
Native to the Philippines, the Rufous-headed Hornbill is one of the most endangered of its species. They sport a bony ‘casque’ which sticks out from the top of their wrinkly red-orangey bills. The bill may seem strong but it is actually structurally thin with hollow bone cells.
Rufous-headed Hornbills have an interesting way of protecting their little ones: both mama and papa use saliva and mud to build a wall across the entrance to a tree cavity, essentially sealing the female and eggs inside. They leave a small hole at the top through which the male can pass food. And if that isn’t enough, the parents are extremely territorial when defending the nest thats why it comes under the list of most unique birds in the world.
The Rufous-Headed Hornbill is now extinct on some of the Philippine Islands due to severe deforestation, in addition to hunting and nest poaching. However a great conservation effort is being made to save them, mainly by guarding their nests. Optimistically, their numbers seem to be back on the rise.
4. BLUE-EYED GROUND-DOVE
These lovelies are the rarest and most endangered doves in the world, found in the Cerrado region of Brazil. For 75 years they were thought to be extinct until 12 of these species were happily rediscovered in 2015!
It is recorded it and when he played it back, discovered that it was the Blue-eyed Ground-Dove.
To his surprise, they were not extinct after all.
Named for their shimmering blue eyes which match the spots on their wings, the azure blue is a striking contrast to the rest of their mud-brownish-red plumage thats why it comes under the list of most unique birds in the world.
5. IMPERIAL AMAZON
The Dominican Republic’s Imperial Amazon, locally known as the sisserou, is endemic to this Caribbean inland and is its national bird.
The species is critically endangered. In 2019, it was estimated there were only about 50 mature individuals left in the wild, down from a previous count of hundreds.
The reason for this was twofold: a serious loss of natural habitat and to make things worse Hurrican Maria.
Imperial Amazons are about 19 inches long, weighing about 23 oz (females) or 32 oz (males). Rather big for a parrot! As they are very shy, they travel in groups of three at most. Sometimes they feel comfortable enough to flock together with red-necked Amazon thats why it comes under the list of most unique birds in the world.
They are good climbers and strong flyers with powerful wings. They prefer to perch on the tops of trees. They are difficult to detect, as they are well camouflaged by their plumage.
6. CEBU FLOWERPECKER
Found only in the Cebu Islands in the Philippines, these birds were thought to be extinct due to the disappearance of their habitat. But in 1992 they popped up again in a small limestone forest in the Central Cebu Protected Landscape.
Their name, Quadricolor, refers to the 4 colors of the male’s plumage: blue, red, white and yellow. Cebu Flowerpeckers are frugivorous which means they eat only fruit and seeds.
There are only 105 Cebu Flowerpeckers in the world. A great effort is now made to conserve them thats why it comes under the list of most unique birds in the world.
7. GOLDEN PHEASANT
The real golden pheasants are native to the Western forests of China. Named after their golden crests, we are wowed by the male’s colorful body! They can grow up to 41 inches long and the tail is 2/3 the length of the entire body. Golden pheasants are really hard to find and there is little known about them as they are seldom seen in their natural habitat Thats why it comes under the list of most unique birds in the world.
DISCLAIMER : ALL THE IMAGE RESOURCES USED IN THIS ARTICLE IS THE COURTESY OF :
- https://ebird.org/species/phikin1
- https://ebird.org/species/soiwre1?siteLanguage=en_NZ
- http://www.edgeofexistence.org/species/rufous-headed-hornbill/
- https://ebird.org/species/begdov2
- https://exoticbirds.life/parrots/imperial-amazon/
- https://ebird.org/species/resflo1
- https://ebird.org/species/golphe
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