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Most bird watchers and scientists say that there are roughly 9,000 to 10,000 species of birds. One of the main ways to identify them is physical appearance and once you start looking closer, it becomes obvious that birds come in many shapes and colors. And some are absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. From those with incredible eyelashes to the ones that look like tiny cotton balls, continue scrolling and check out some of the most beautiful birds from around the world.

Understanding the differences between bird plumages is vital to everyone who want to identify them. The term refers to a bird's feathers, including the color and pattern those feathers produce.

Birds have developed intricate plumages due to various aspects, including protection from predators, via camouflage, and sending sexual signals to potential mates. Birds usually lose and replace their feathers at least once a year through molt and regrowth.

"Each feather on a bird's body is a finely tuned structure that serves an important role in the bird's activities," Mya Thompson, the co-director for Engagement in Science and Nature for the Cornell Lab, wrote. "Feathers allow birds to fly, but they also help them show off, blend in, stay warm, and keep dry."

"Some feathers evolved as specialized airfoil for efficient flight. Others have been shaped into extreme ornamental forms that create impressive displays but may even hinder mobility. Often we can readily tell how a feather functions, but sometimes the role of a feather is mysterious and we need a scientific study to fill in the picture," Thompson explained.

A good example of one of these mysteries are feather tufts on the heads of Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus) which are often mistaken for ears. These modified contour feathers are completely separate from the ear and do not help owls hear, yet scientists can't explain the function of these tufts. Some think the horns are for display, others suggest that owls use them for more complete camouflage while roosting in daylight, but no one knows for sure.

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#4

Malaysian Large Frogmouth And Her Baby

Malaysian Large Frogmouth And Her Baby

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#7

Victoria Crowned Pigeon

Victoria Crowned Pigeon

The Virginia Zoo Report

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varwenea
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful. Looks like a creature from "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them".

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#9

Beautiful Strawberry Finch

Beautiful Strawberry Finch

reddit.com Report

#12

Pigeon With A Curly Perm

Pigeon With A Curly Perm

emelbi_artist Report

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Capermom
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like someone sprinkled shaved chocolate on her..! :-)

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Lola
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can’t even get that with a curling iron.

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Monika Soffronow
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"*But darling, I swear to you that a full body perm is not that much more expensive than the one I usaually do. Don't I look pretty, coo?"

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Ania Barrett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All those pigeons are rocking it! Never knew there were so many types of this seemingly common bird.

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Id row
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, never seen anything like that before, that's pretty incredible.

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jevais
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why in the name of God humans have destroyed these pignons. Nature is perfect and should never ever be played with. Very shocking to see such a noble bird transformed into a monster 👾 by the hands of egocentric nut case.

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Nightingale9
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The pigeon wasn't given an actual perm. They were born out of selective breeding. Which still isn't much better, but at least were born that way, so they have adapted to survive.

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Janice Roland
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i could never, in my wildest dreams, believe these birds even exist on this earth. they take my breath away..!!

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Dulcinea73
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She’s beautiful; but I wonder if she’s a “created to win a show” bird...?

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Oskar vanZandt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have never seen plumage like that before! Bizarre and awesome!

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Marek Yanchurak
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find myself actually a bit...disturbed by this... Possibly a trypophobic reaction?

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#13

Dracula Parrot

Dracula Parrot

Mike Peel Report

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Capermom
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Damn...he looks like he survived a bush fire and came out stronger and meaner...

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#14

South Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher

South Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher

migueldavid.deleon Report

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Jill Peters
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My what fluecent colours —-could not replicate those colours from my paint box.

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#15

Tilhi

Tilhi

wallmika Report

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Jonna Saari 🇫🇮
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tilhi in Finnish 🇫🇮💙 In English it's the Bohemian waxwing (according to Wikipedia at least). Such a beautiful bird with a lovely voice!

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#17

Quetzal

Quetzal

Vaclav Sebek Report

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logical fallacy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This bird has been my favourite ever since I was little. Saw it in a NatGeo coffeetable book on exotic birds when I was about four. I named her Green (because I'm very original) and went to say hello to the illustration every day for years. Still stand by it though, the tiny beak makes it really cute.

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#18

Sword-Billed Hummingbird

Sword-Billed Hummingbird

Supreet Sahoo Report

#20

Mandarink Duck

Mandarink Duck

Rovdyr Report

#21

Inca Tern

Inca Tern

Truus & Zoo Report

#22

Guineafowl

Guineafowl

Francois Malan Report

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#23

The Black-Throated Bushtit

The Black-Throated Bushtit

joinus12345 Report

#27

Rufous-Crested Coquette

Rufous-Crested Coquette

Supreet Sahoo Report

#28

Plate-Billed Mountain Toucan

Plate-Billed Mountain Toucan

Supreet Sahoo Report

#29

Cock-Of-The-Rock

Cock-Of-The-Rock

Supreet Sahoo Report

#30

Lady Amherst's Pheasant

Lady Amherst's Pheasant

joinus12345 Report

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Monika Soffronow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This famous Picasso was painted as he progressed from his blue period to experimenting with cubism.

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Note: this post originally had 50 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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