Birds are some of the most comical animals, whether they realize it or not. Their behavior, looks, and even their names keep our ribs tingling from laughter. In fact, some bird names are outright ridiculous! We are going to take a gander at some of the funniest and most bizarre birds the world has to offer.
1. Noisy Friarbird (Philemon corniculatus)
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The noisy friarbird has a bald head, pointed beak, and hunched posture, which resembles the features of a vulture. Unlike vultures, this bird is not a scavenger. Surprisingly, their favorite food is honey!
Also known as the “leatherhead” bird, the noisy friarbird has a characteristic hump on its bill and a completely black head. Thier name is a reference to their severely loud screeches. Also, their red eyes and prestigious gray plumage is not unlike the garb of an 18th century town friar.
The noisy friarbird is native to southern New Guinea and eastern Australia and inhabits open forests as well as gardens. Since it looks like the avian version of the Ghost of Christmas Past, laughs are certainly warranted!
2. Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)
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The Hoatzin is a large bird notorious for its terrible smell. It has been called many names, including skunk bird, stink bird, and even reptile bird! Regardless of its name, this species is a great example of evolution’s sense of humor.
Hoatzins are herbivores and the only species of bird that ruminates, just like cows and other bovines. They like to lie around, chewing their cud just like cattle. Because of this mode of digestion, they have an unpleasant smell similar to cow dung. Hoatzins are terrible fliers but make excellent swimmers. In the event of any danger from the skies or land, they hurl themselves into the nearest body of water to escape. If there was ever a cross between a bird, a cow, and a fish, the hoatzin would be the result.
Hoatzins are colorful birds with a blue face, long tail, brown and yellow plumage, spiky head crests, and glaring red eyes. Their chicks have claws on two of their wing digits which they use for climbing. Hoatzins are also the last living species of their prehistoric order Opisthocomiformes, whose other species went extinct over 50 million years ago. They can be found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America.
3. Red-Rumped Bush Tyrant (Cnemarchus erythropygius)
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The red-rumped bush tyrant makes the list solely for its hilarious name. This species belongs to a family of perching birds called Tyrannidae, so-called because some of its species are aggressive. Many of them don’t like strangers hovering too close to their nests. This territorial behavior causes them to chase larger birds away. The word “tyrant” comes from a Latin word meaning “illegitimate ruler” which is befitting for a bird with such unruly behavior.
Although the red-rumped bush tyrant’s name might sound better suited for an ’80s death metal band, it is a fairly normal-looking bird. The bush tyrant has a dappled-white and grey head, slate-brown body, and reddish rump and tail base.
4. Horned Screamer (Anhima cornuta)
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Horned screamers are so named because of the long spine protruding from its forehead, and because it screams like a banshee. The horn of the screamer is actually made of cartilage and serves no known purpose. It breaks off when it gets too long and then grows back. It can grow to about 6 inches in length and is unique to this species of bird. They are also called the unicorn of birds.
The repetitive calls of the horned screamer echo throughout its environment. The calls of the males are notably deeper than those of the females. Males and females often mate for life.
Horned screamers are a large species of bird, about the size of a turkey. They weigh almost eight pounds and have beaks like chickens. The horned screamer is completely black with white speckles on its crown, throat, and wings. It is native to South America and can be found in the tropical wetlands of countries like Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador.
5. Gray Go-Away Bird (Crinifer concolor)
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If you’re ever in a southern African country and you hear a strange voice telling you to go away, it may be this bird. Its call sounds like “kay-wayy!” with the last note prolonged and filled with contempt. The gray go-away bird usually makes this call when it senses danger. It helps to alert all the other birds around.
The go-away bird is also called the gray lourie or gray loerie. As its name suggests, it is gray with brown at the tip of its tail and a full crest on their head. These birds are not expert flyers but can climb very well. They are African natives and are located in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, Botswana, Angola, Zambia, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Namibia.
6. Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus)
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In addition to its funny name, the spangled drongo also engages in funny behavior. The name “drongo” is Australian slang for “stupid person,” which tells us all we need to know about what Assies think of this species. The spangled drongo makes zero effort to hide itself. It’s a very flamboyant bird with a variety of booming calls, chitters, and other sounds. Sometimes, they gather in groups to sing.
The spangled drongo could be the lead vocalist of that ‘80s death metal band mentioned earlier. Not only does it sing loudly, but it also has jet-black plumage which contains blue-green iridescent spots. Red eyes and forked tail finish the look. A goth bird, if there was ever one.
The spangled drongo is found in Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and some of the Pacific Islands.
7. American Woodcock (Scolopax minor)
©Andrea J Smith/Shutterstock.com
Somewhere in the vast landscape of the internet, there is a viral video of a woodcock dancing on the street. The American woodcock is known for its very comical gait when searching for food. It bobs his head and body simultaneously while walking, making it seem like it’s moving to a beat. Because of this, it is nicknamed the funky American woodcock.
Speaking of nicknames, its legendary dance isn’t the only thing funny about the woodcock. This bird is also called the bogsucker, timberdoodle, and hokumpoke!
The American woodcock is a slightly unusual looking bird. It is rotund with short legs, a long head, and an even longer bill. They are multicolored with black, light brown, gray, and buff plumage with orange-toned undersides. American woodcocks inhabit forests, fields, and wet meadows in the eastern United States and Canada.
8. Fluffy-backed Tit Babbler (Macronus ptilosus)
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Other than its funny name, not much is known about the fluffy-backed tit babbler. These Asian birds have reddish heads and upper bodies, with brown backs and tails. They also have white patches on either side of their necks and a black throat and bill. This babbler is found in Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, and Malaysia.
9. Satanic Goatsucker (Eurostopodus diabolicus)
©feathercollector/Shutterstock.com
The satanic goatsucker is also called the satanic nightjar and the devilish nightjar. This innocent-looking bird is obviously the victim of false testimony. Its nickname “goatsucker” was brought about by a folktale that alleged that the bird drank milk straight out of goat udders. Additionally, the nightjar was deemed devilish by locals due to its nightly calls. Some people also reported that one of its calls sounds like someone’s eye being plucked out, although such a sound has hopefully never been recorded.
Nightjars are native to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. They have a grayish-brown body, black head, white collar, and white speckles. Despite their unforgivable name, the nightjar is not known to perform any sort of rituals.
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