Forget visiting the salon and using stylist products – these birds have naturally perfect hair. Many birds have unique and visible plumage, but some of these features transform their natural look into a fashionable one. Some birds have styled quiffs and others have fluffy crests, making their styles some of the most eye-catching in the animal kingdom. Let’s take a closer look at some of these feathery styles!
Victoria Crowned Pigeon
The Victoria crowned pigeon was named in honor of Queen Victoria. These pigeons are native to New Guinea and are part of a unique group of large pigeons, where the Victoria crowned pigeon is the largest. Its lace-like crests are blue with white tips that differentiate them from the other species of pigeons in the area.
Golden Pheasant
The golden pheasant looks more like a fictional bird than a real one. It is also known as the Chinese pheasant or rainbow pheasant and is a part of the Phasianidae family and classified as a gamebird of the Galliformes genus. Its genus name references its gold crest and the wide array of colors on its feathers, making it look like the colors were painted on.
Sulfur-crested Cockatoo
Sulphur-crested cockatoos are found in New Guinea, Australia, and certain areas of Indonesia. There are quite a few of them in these areas and they have proven to be extremely intelligent when humans interact with them. Their yellow hook-like crest can fan forward to form a half-mohawk, which enables them to communicate more expressively.
Smew
Smew have the perfect slicked-back Elvis Presley hairstyle. The smew is the only living member of its Mergellus genus. They are migratory birds that are mainly found in the Palearctic and northern taigas of Europe. The male smew is mostly white, with the top of its head covered in a slicked-back tuft with a dark green cap underneath.
Eurasian Hoopoe
Eurasian hoopoes are the most widespread species of the Upupa genus. They are mainly found in Africa, Europe, and Asia, with migratory tendencies that lead them to warmer areas for the winter. Their cinnamon color and distinctive crest that erects upward make them easy to spot. The tips of its crest feathers are black and white, just like part of its wings.
Blue Jay
Blue jays are very distinct birds, with their bright blue patterned wings and tails. They are mainly found in eastern North America, as they make their nests in coniferous forests and residential areas. Their crest is usually pushed back, but it will rise and thicken when they become angry or agitated.
Andean Cock-of-the-Rock
The Andean cock-of-the-rock is the national bird of Peru and is found in Andean cloud forests in South America. Males are equipped with large bright orange plumage that looks like a well-kempt pompadour. They display the colorful plumage to compete for breeding females and the one with the biggest plumage that bobs the most wins.
Demoiselle Crane
Known as the koonji or kurjaa in India, the demoiselle crane is a significant symbol in Indian culture. They are found across Asia and Eurosiberia but migrate to southern areas closer to the equator in the winter. Their long white tufts hang over the ear coverts as the rest of their hair is slicked back with streaks of black continuing down their head.
Polish Chicken
There aren’t many chickens as stylish as this one. Strangely enough, the origin of the Polish chicken is mainly unknown, as they were first depicted in 17th-century images in the Netherlands and Italy. They lack the common comb, which is replaced by a large crest of feathers on their head. Many of them are kept entirely for show or as an ornament.
Grey Crowned Crane
Grey crowned cranes look like the king of the birds! These cranes are found throughout Africa and go by as many names as there are countries in Africa. The large crown-like tuft on its head distinguishes its species, but further than that it doesn’t see much practical use. The grey crowned crane is also the national bird of Uganda.
Mandarin Duck
In Latin, the genus of the Mandarin duck means “wig”, which is quite ironic as its hair doesn’t seem natural in the slightest. The Mandarin duck is native to the Palearctic’s east, with the males looking more colorful than the females. Its sleek hair combed back with brown-green colors makes it an ideal attraction for bird watchers.
Himalayan Monal
Lophophorus impejanus, the scientific name for the Himalayan monal, was named after Lady Mady Impey, the wife of Sir Elijah Impey. Himalayan monals are easily identifiable, as they have beautiful rainbow feathers and a ponytail on top of their head. These birds are mainly found in areas that range from 6,900 ft. to 14,800 ft. in Himalayan forests.
Pink Cockatoo
Pink cockatoos are also referred to as Major Mitchell’s cockatoo and are primarily found in semi-arid areas all over Australia. The crest of a pink cockatoo is quite uninteresting when not erected, but the opposite is true once it becomes alert, excited, or curious. The crest will fan out, and you will be met with bright yellows and reds that span the middle section of the crest and underneath its wings.
Ornate Hawk-Eagle
The ornate hawk-eagle is the only bird of prey on this list. It lives in the tropical Americas, especially in Central America and areas of South America. It has a long spiky crest that always stays down in flight but perks up whilst perching atop a tree or overhang. Most of the crest is black but can contain dark orange or white depending on its age.
Great Curassow
The great curassow has iconic curls! Hailing from the rainforests of Central America, the great curassow are pheasant-like birds that live in trees to escape predators. Males and females have curly crests that often contain dots or streaks of white. Unfortunately, due to a loss of habitat, the great curassow is rated as “vulnerable”, and is currently under production by conservationists in the Americas.
