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.
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The Secretary
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."
Blue Crowned Pigeon
"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.
Long Tailed Tit
Malaysian Large Frogmouth And Her Baby
Mountain Bluebird
Secretary Bird
Victoria Crowned Pigeon
Grandala
Beautiful Strawberry Finch
The Nicobar Pigeon
The Harpy Eagle
Pigeon With A Curly Perm
Dracula Parrot
South Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher
My what fluecent colours —-could not replicate those colours from my paint box.
Tilhi
Tilhi in Finnish 🇫🇮💙 In English it's the Bohemian waxwing (according to Wikipedia at least). Such a beautiful bird with a lovely voice!
Bearded Reedling
Quetzal
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.
Sword-Billed Hummingbird
Hello. My name is Hummingo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
Golden Pheasant
Mandarink Duck
We had one in Central Park for a while, most beautiful thing I've ever seen in person
Inca Tern
Guineafowl
This bird looks like it would fit right in as a feisty character in the 80s soap opera Dynasty. Anyone old enough to agree? lol
LOL..You said it..It would give Alexis a run for her money!
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Neighbors had them. They are THE STUPIDEST animal on the planet and have an earsplitting call. watched one fly into a dirty (so it wasn't transparent) barn window till it shattered the glass with its head. They also played chicken in the road with cars. Horrible horrible animals
Sadly, I can easily believe that. There was this bit in Disney's (the original animated one) The Lion King where during the opening number "The Circle of Life" a bunch of Guinea fowl are running by to Pride Rock. Afterwards, an elephant shows up, and just at that very moment--one more Guinea fowl shows up running--just barely out of stomping range! That part always made me laugh.
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I am sure they are direct descendants of the dodo- these birds are not bright.
Dodos weren't stupid just flightless and not scared of people. Guineas are flighted morons
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I had a teacher in high school who's expression was too often like this!!! Brrrrrrrrrrrrr! And I knew a gossip queen who looked the same...sooo long ago.
The back feathers, look as though, stitched one by one, stunning !!!
They run into the road and into glass windows because they are depressed because bullies call them names like dumb and ugly. They are but we don't have to say it.
ladies and gentlemen, i present the miss Prism of birds...
I used to see these at a Bird Sanctuary, they ran around in their spotted coats and I couldn't stop laughing at the way they ran in all directions. I don't think they're horrible, just funny.
The guy I'm seeing eats these. Now I know what they look like. It's just standing there and looking at me through the screen -Judging me.
Hold up we had some guineafowl and the didn't look like that. Kinda jealous
The Black-Throated Bushtit
Crested Duck
Taiwan Blue Magpie
Pygmy Wren Babbler
Rufous-Crested Coquette
Plate-Billed Mountain Toucan
Cock-Of-The-Rock
Lady Amherst's Pheasant
This famous Picasso was painted as he progressed from his blue period to experimenting with cubism.
Note: this post originally had 50 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
I'm surprised this list doesn't include Eurasian Hoopoe - it's really worth it! See for yourself: dudek.jpg 
One of my favourites. We get them in our garden occasionally.
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Every time I see such spectacular photos of birdlife, I marvel at the colours and that God created something so beautiful.
Live & let live! "All things dull and ugly, All creatures short and squat, All things rude and nasty, The Lord God made the lot. Each little snake that poisons, Each little wasp that stings, He made their brutish venom. He made their horrid wings. All things sick and cancerous, All evil great and small, All things foul and dangerous, The Lord God made them all. Each nasty little hornet, Each beastly little squid, Who made the spikey urchin? Who made the sharks? He did! All things scabbed and ulcerous, All pox both great and small, Putrid, foul and gangrenous, The Lord God made them all. Amen." =)
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Gorgeous, but they left off one of my favorites - the roseate spoonbill. And the flamingo! roseate-sp...3ce0fc.jpg 
Half of these birds look like the average versions of their genus that took a vibrant paintball to the beak.
Wow. Well done! These photos are not easy to get... thank you for sharing a part of our world we seldom get to see!
Every time I hear the bird name "tit", I want to make an inappropriate joke. I'm still a five year old in some ways.
And what i could say about the red rock c**k .....;)
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Isn't it interesting how much people (probably minority) admire nature but do not lift a finger to protect all those marvels of nature???? Do not care to change their wasteful, selfish way of life, just the opposite criticize and attack others for their efforts to save our planet and all life it supports.... including lives of undeserving humans..... and, may I add, idiotic, imbeciles' like John L.
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Where's the Booby Birds? C'mon guys you missed a trick there. BFBB-5efa0...1787cb.jpg 
Well done. Birds and flowers are visible evidence that God is the world's greatest artist.
I'm surprised this list doesn't include Eurasian Hoopoe - it's really worth it! See for yourself: dudek.jpg
One of my favourites. We get them in our garden occasionally.
Load More Replies... Every time I see such spectacular photos of birdlife, I marvel at the colours and that God created something so beautiful.
Live & let live! "All things dull and ugly, All creatures short and squat, All things rude and nasty, The Lord God made the lot. Each little snake that poisons, Each little wasp that stings, He made their brutish venom. He made their horrid wings. All things sick and cancerous, All evil great and small, All things foul and dangerous, The Lord God made them all. Each nasty little hornet, Each beastly little squid, Who made the spikey urchin? Who made the sharks? He did! All things scabbed and ulcerous, All pox both great and small, Putrid, foul and gangrenous, The Lord God made them all. Amen." =)
Load More Replies... Gorgeous, but they left off one of my favorites - the roseate spoonbill. And the flamingo! roseate-sp...3ce0fc.jpg
Half of these birds look like the average versions of their genus that took a vibrant paintball to the beak.
Wow. Well done! These photos are not easy to get... thank you for sharing a part of our world we seldom get to see!
Every time I hear the bird name "tit", I want to make an inappropriate joke. I'm still a five year old in some ways.
And what i could say about the red rock c**k .....;)
Load More Replies... Isn't it interesting how much people (probably minority) admire nature but do not lift a finger to protect all those marvels of nature???? Do not care to change their wasteful, selfish way of life, just the opposite criticize and attack others for their efforts to save our planet and all life it supports.... including lives of undeserving humans..... and, may I add, idiotic, imbeciles' like John L.
Load More Replies... Where's the Booby Birds? C'mon guys you missed a trick there. BFBB-5efa0...1787cb.jpg
Well done. Birds and flowers are visible evidence that God is the world's greatest artist.
