You Bet Your Binoculars These Birds Exist
Bird watchers can’t wait to get a clear shot of stunning species. With so many coasting through the skies, we can hardly blame them! However, the world is also filled with some strange species you’ve probably never heard of before, and it’s up to you whether or not that’s a good thing!
Department of Conservation on Wikimedia
1. Harpy Eagle
At the right angle, this species looks more like a sleep paralysis demon than anything else. It doesn’t look any better to prey, either. Clocking in around 20 pounds, these guys are among the largest and most dangerous eagles in the world, often snatching anything from monkeys to sloths from trees.
Brian Gratwicke from DC, USA on Wikimedia
2. Kākāpō
Speaking of heavy birds, may we turn your attention to this adorable, flightless parrot? It’s the heaviest species of parrot in the world, boasting the same beautiful green feathers as its cousins. This hefty boy only comes out at night, though, so you won’t catch him on your watch.
3. Cassowary
Aw, look at this fluffy guy. Surely it isn’t dubbed “the world’s most dangerous bird,” right? Unfortunately, this blue-headed monstrosity can’t wait to charge unsuspecting victims—humans included! Naturally, they’re found in Australia. It’s best to keep away; they can jump seven feet high without issue and aren’t shy about piercing anything with their talons.
4. Helmeted Hornbill
Should you ever find yourself in Thailand, you might just stumble across this large hornbill species. You may want to get a wiggle on, however, as roughly 100 or so remain in the wild. Sadly, their casques are a hot-ticket item across Asia, often used for anything from beads to jewelry.
5. Marabou Stork
We really hope this stork isn’t in charge of bringing all the babies! Feast your eyes on this impressive species. Okay, they aren’t much to look at, and they definitely have a bad reputation, but they’re important contributors to the ecosystem!
