Yes some women are Crazy Creatures, however anyone looking for pretty ladies may want to head somewhere else. This article is more of an ornithologists fantasy!
We have made an arbitrary selection of birds that we think are some of the best looking and added some hints on where to find them. Please do add any other pretty birds you can recommend to the comments.
Kingfishers
These pretty birds exist all over the place and they come in a host of colours and sizes, so we’ve listed a few.
- Malachite Kingfisher – this little blue and orange variety flaps around in Africa, more or less anywhere south of the Sahara
- Kookaburra – the famous Australian Kingfisher, obviously flies around Australia, but also New Guinea
- Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher lives throughout South and Eastern Asia
- Common Kingfisher is the one you can find in Europe, and is the only Kingfisher species in the UK
- Belted Kingfisher, with its distinct crest, is one of the few that can be spotted in North America
- Giant Kingfisher is found in sub-Saharan Africa and is the largest Kingfisher, although the Kookaburra is the heaviest
- Green Kingfisher is one only a handful of species in South America and can be found throughout most of central and South America
Lilac-breasted Roller
This handsome little chap is common South of the Sahara and can also be found in the Southern Arabian peninsula. They are usually spotted perched in the top of trees.
Whydah Birds
These guys are famous for their fabulous long tails, and are native to Africa. There are 19 species and all are Brood Parasites, i.e. they lay their eggs in the nest of another bird which is left to raise the chick. Indigobirds are from the same family and some species are known as Widowbirds.
Eagles
These majestic creatures occur worldwide, with the white headed varieties probably looking the most striking. Here follows a list of those:
- African Fish Eagle is a beautiful eagle found throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
- American Bald Eagle is the famous national bird of the USA, with its distinct white head and yellow beak and is found throughout Northern America.
- Crested Eagle has a white head and rump, and can be found throughout much of Central and Southern America
- Philippine Eagle is one of the largest birds in the world, has quite a distinct spiky hairstyle and is endemic to the Philippines.
- Short-toed Eagle is found around the Mediterranean and into Asia.
- White-bellied Sea Eagle can be found in Australia, as well as parts of South and South-East Asia.
- Bateleur Eagle may not have a white head, but it is probably the most colourful and is also easy to recognise in flight as it looks like it has no tail, although it does have a very small one.
- Golden Eagle also doesn’t have the white head, but is one of the most famous eagles and exists throughout Eurasia, including quite a few breeding pairs living in Scotland
Toucans
These birds are famous for their enormous bills, which can come in a variety of stunning colors. There are various theories for it’s use, including thermoregulation, accessing fruit from deep tree holes and surrounding areas without having to move.
As both males and females have the same bill, it is unlikely to be a courting sign. The Toucans can be found in Central and Southern America.
Macaws
These are some of the most colorful parrots and are also notable for their large dark beak. Some Macaws are amongst the largest parrot species, and can be found in woodlands and savannah throughout South and Central America.
Birds of Paradise
These are probably the most beautiful birds on earth, arguably even the most beautiful creatures on earth, with spectacular coloured plumage, and long and elaborate feathers.
The stunning appearance is only reserved for the males of the species, as it is integral to attracting females. The males will usually perform spectacular dances, aligning their feathers in to a wide variety of shapes and movements. The vast majority are found in New Guinea, with a few existing in Australia and Indonesia.
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