Buzz
A 2017 study led by the American Museum of Natural History found that there are about 18,000 bird species around the world—nearly twice the previous estimate. One of the researchers noted that this figure has concerning consequences for conservation efforts.
Numerous bird species have already vanished due to predators or human influence. Despite considerable conservation efforts in recent years, many species remain critically endangered—some of which are featured in this list. Let’s celebrate these unique birds while we still have the chance.
10. Inca Tern
This bird is named after the region once governed by the ancient Inca Empire, and it can only be found near the Humboldt Current. Inca terns are well-suited to hunting anchovies and other small fish by diving into the cold waters of the current. Occasionally, they also scavenge leftover food from dolphins and sea lions.
At first glance, the Inca tern might appear like any other bird species. However, its most distinctive feature—a striking white mustache—becomes unmistakable up close. Both males and females grow these mustaches. This highly sociable species forms large nesting colonies, sometimes numbering in the thousands, and typically lays eggs in cliffside hollows or cracks.
Though the Inca tern is not currently at risk of extinction, the depletion of anchovy populations from overfishing could significantly affect their numbers. Additionally, invasive species like cats and rats on certain islands hinder their nesting. To safeguard the species, the Peruvian government established the Guano Islands and Capes National Reserve in 2009, protecting Inca tern and sea lion colonies across 28 guano islands and cliffs.
9. Amazonian Royal Flycatcher
Although all royal flycatchers share many similarities, experts often group them into four subspecies based on their geographic distribution. The Amazonian royal flycatcher is commonly found in northern and central South America, to the east of the Andes, and thrives in humid, deciduous lowland forests.
Royal flycatchers are easily identifiable by their distinctive, colorful crest, which can range in shades of red and orange. Typically, the crest remains flat, giving the bird a hammerhead-like appearance. When raised, the crest fans out into a unique shape.
In addition to their location, Amazonian royal flycatchers are easily distinguished by their cinnamon-hued rump and tail. These birds are also smaller and darker than other flycatchers. Males have bright red crests, while females have orange ones. As their name suggests, royal flycatchers predominantly feed on insects.
Although considered uncommon, Amazonian royal flycatchers are not currently under significant threat. This is likely due to their nesting habits, as they build their nests on branches high above water, offering added protection to their young.
8. Southern Giant Petrel
The southern giant petrel is a large bird known for its pointed wings and massive bill. It exists in two distinct color forms—white and dark. Only about 5 percent of these birds are white, but the dark variant tends to become lighter as they age, with their colors gradually changing.
A characteristic hunched posture during flight is another common trait of this bird. This circumpolar species is found ranging from the subantarctic islands down to the Antarctic continent.
Due to its diet, which consists heavily of elephant seal and sea lion carcasses, the southern giant petrel has earned the nickname ‘vulture of the sea.’ It also feeds on fish, squid, penguins, and even albatrosses.
These fierce birds are often seen with bloodstained heads while scavenging animal remains. There are reports of southern giant petrels attacking other seabirds by ing them against the surf or even holding them underwater until they drown.
Additionally, southern giant petrels are known to regurgitate foul-smelling stomach oils when threatened or disturbed, such as by fishing boats. Sailors, annoyed by having their fish stolen, have affectionately dubbed them 'stinkpots.'
Researchers at the University of Barcelona have found that certain Antarctic bird species could be at risk due to human-borne diseases. Birds like kelp gulls, penguins, and southern giant petrels are susceptible to bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter. After analyzing fecal samples from over 600 seabirds across different locations, three indications of reverse zoonosis were discovered.
7. Kakapo
New Zealand proved to be the ideal environment for the evolution of unique animal species isolated from the rest of the world. As a result, the country is home to many remarkable animals, with the kakapo standing out as one of the strangest. It is the heaviest parrot on the planet, the only flightless parrot, and one of the longest-living birds.
Kakapos do not reach sexual maturity until they are 9 to 10 years old and are believed to live past 90 years. However, the oldest known kakapo lived to around 80. Despite their long lifespans, the species has been critically endangered for over a century because they only breed every 2–5 years, remain on the ground, and freeze in place when threatened.
Once plentiful, the kakapo parrot faced near extinction after the arrival of human settlers who hunted them for their feathers and meat. Habitat destruction and invasive predators—like domestic cats, dogs, and stoats—nearly wiped out the species. Conservation efforts began in 1894, but it wasn't until the creation of the kakapo breeding program in 1995 that their survival prospects improved.
At the start of the breeding program, only 51 kakapos remained, but their numbers have grown considerably since then. According to the New Zealand Department of Conservation, there are currently 148 kakapos alive.
6. Guianan Cock-Of-The-Rock
Native to Colombia, Venezuela, southern Guyana, and northern Brazil, the Guianan cock-of-the-rock is easily identified by its always-raised crest that covers its broad bill. Males have an eye-catching bright orange color, while females are brown, have smaller crests, and feature a black beak with yellow tips.
Guianan cocks-of-the-rock, named for their reliance on massive boulders and rocky caves for breeding, engage in extensive courtship rituals. Up to 50 males gather in communal leks, where they perform combat and dance displays. Females are drawn to the males that dominate by controlling the center of the lek.
Guianan cocks-of-the-rock use a variety of sounds for communication. They can snap their beaks to create a popping noise. During leks, males emit loud, crowing calls similar to a chicken's. While foraging, the sounds they make have been compared to the noise of a rubber duck being strangled.
Their diet mainly consists of fruits and berries. However, if these are not available, they will feed on insects, small reptiles, or frogs.
5. Sri Lankan Frogmouth
The Sri Lankan frogmouth is found exclusively in the dense tropical forests of India and Sri Lanka. The bird’s name is derived from its head, which is as wide as its body, and its large, gaping mouth. Males are gray with heavy white spotting, while females are rust-red with sparse white freckles. They also feature a broad, hooked, and flattened bill.
These nocturnal birds spend the majority of their daylight hours resting on branches, hunting insects during the night. While the Sri Lankan frogmouth is not classified as vulnerable, the trend of replacing shade-grown coffee plantations with more profitable tea plantations has devastated portions of its native forest. Habitat destruction due to farming, forestry, wildfires, and grazing also pose significant threats to these birds.
In the 19th century, the frogmouth was confined to Sri Lanka. However, in recent years, sightings have expanded further north, which some attribute to climate change. The brown palm civet, another species, has also been moving northward. Scientists are concerned that these shifts in habitat could signal broader effects of global warming.
4. Magnificent Frigatebird
The magnificent frigatebird uses its sharply forked tail to glide effortlessly through tropical winds. It prefers to fly along the southern US coast, Mexico, and the Caribbean when the winds are strongest, allowing it to remain airborne for up to two months without needing to land.
Since magnificent frigatebirds lack waterproof feathers, they avoid landing in water. A wet frigatebird cannot take flight. Instead, these birds feed by stealing food from others in midair. Becoming proficient at this tactic requires a lot of practice, and young frigatebirds engage in playful chases, using sticks. The bird that drops the stick becomes the target for another to snatch it mid-flight.
The most striking characteristic of the magnificent frigatebird is its large, bright-red throat pouch, which males inflate to attract females. It is the only seabird where males and females look notably different. Females tend to be larger and sport a white throat rather than the male's red pouch.
3. Hoatzin
Hoatzins are widespread across central South America and are fairly common. They often perch in open spaces but seek denser cover when threatened. These birds are typically found in trees and shrubs along rivers and lakes. Despite their intimidating appearance, hoatzins are poor fliers and move clumsily.
Visually, hoatzins are identifiable by their loose crest, bright blue facial skin, and striking red eyes. The most unusual feature of these birds is their multichambered stomach. Often dubbed 'flying cows,' hoatzins feed primarily on young leaves and buds, which are digested with the help of bacteria and microbes. It is the only bird that survives exclusively on leaves.
In addition to their bovine-like digestive system, hoatzins are born with claws on their wings. These young birds can swim and will often leap into the water to escape danger. They use the claws to climb back into trees. Wing claws were once common in ancient birds, but hoatzins have kept this feature through generations. As they mature, the claws are eventually shed.
2. Helmeted Hornbill
Helmeted hornbills are large, loud birds found only in the pristine forests of Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar. Their distinctive beak feature, called a casque (meaning 'helmet' in French), is solid and heavy, making up more than 10 percent of the bird’s total weight—unlike those of other hornbill species.
Easily recognized by their unique facial features and long central tail feathers, helmeted hornbills also have a distinctive gular pouch, a wrinkled skin area on their throats. This pouch, red in males and turquoise in females, is used to transport food back to the nest. These fruit-loving birds are extremely selective, requiring the finest lowland tropical rainforests filled with fruiting trees for their habitat.
While incubating, the female helmeted hornbill is sealed in the nest with mud. The male, meanwhile, provides her with food by regurgitating fruit from his throat pouch and passing it to her through a small opening in the nest.
The helmeted hornbill has become critically endangered due to the high demand from China for carvings made from its casque. With a very slow reproductive rate, even small amounts of poaching can significantly harm their population. Over 30 wildlife conservation organizations are actively working to protect this species and ensure its survival.
1. Long-Wattled Umbrellabird
With a feather crest that could make Elvis Presley envious, long-wattled umbrellabirds have a distinctive hair-like plume hanging over their bills. These striking birds also boast a long, inflatable wattle that dangles from the middle of their chests. When inflated, the wattle takes on a shape reminiscent of a pine cone, covered in short, scaly feathers.
During mating season, males use their impressive crests and wattles to attract females. Males are significantly larger than females—twice their size—and females either have much smaller wattles or none at all. These birds are not particularly graceful fliers, preferring instead to hop between tree branches.
The long-wattled umbrellabird is found only in the humid forests of western Colombia and Ecuador. Its population has been severely impacted by habitat destruction caused by activities such as logging, road construction, and gold mining. In addition, some locals capture the birds to sell, keep as pets, or consume them.
These birds play a vital role in the ecosystem by eating fruit from rainforest trees and dispersing the seeds. Studies have shown that the survival of rare birds like the long-wattled umbrellabird is closely tied to the health of the rainforest. Damaging the birds is detrimental to the forest, and vice versa. Tragically, both the long-wattled umbrellabird and its forest habitat are steadily vanishing.
