Exploring Nature: Ugly & Beautiful Birds
What is the ugliest bird in the world?
Well, for my money, it’s the shoebill stork, an avian species found in Africa. I saw this big, long-legged stork with a massive shoe-shaped beak, on a trip Uganda. It looked oddly prehistoric, like something from the dinosaur age. Also called the whale-headed stork, it is overall pale gray in color and has beady little eyes. In short, it is one ugly bird.
Closer to home, the turkey vulture is not much for beauty, With undertaker eyes, it has a naked red head, to keep blood and guts out of its feathers as it dips into carcasses for a bite.
On the other hand, it’s hard to pick my favorite for most beautiful bird. I think the Andean cock-of-the-rock is a candidate and I love its deep orangered color and head crest not unlike a Roman warrior’s helmet. And the birds of paradise in New Guinea are all examples of distinct avian beauty, especially when their exceptionally long tails seem to glow in the forest sunlight.
Finally, the peacock is not to be overlooked, especially when it spreads its massive array of colorful tail feathers. If you get right down to it, every bird has its points. A little tree sparrow can belt outa melodic song; a diving falcon can amaze with its tremendous speed; a common loon can chill your soul with its mournful call.
In conclusion, I declare that all birds are really great – they flit, they fly, they fascinate!
