10 of the Weirdest-Looking, Most Oddly-Behaving Birds in the World
Amidst the diverse traits of planet Earth’s some 10,000 bird species, nature left space for whimsy. Some bird adaptations, strange rituals, and odd dietary habits defy explanation.
But these make birds some of the most engaging members of the animal kingdom. Here are 10 of the weirdest-looking, most oddly-behaving birds on the planet:
1. Long-Wattled Umbrellabird
(Lev Frid/Shutterstock)
The long-wattled umbrellabird (Cephalopterus penduliger), native to the rainforests of Columbia and Ecuador, is so named for the long, mohawk-like crest that hangs down over its beak. But even more bizarre is the 17-inch feathered “wattle” that hangs from its chest, almost the length of the bird’s body itself.