Birds with majestic crests, crowns, and plumes can be found all over the world, and are used for anything from mating to intimidation. Below please find 10 birds the most majestic crests in the world!
1/ THE GREAT BLUE TURACO
The great blue turaco (Corythaeola cristata) is a bird species of the family Musophagidae. At 70–76 cm (28–30 in) in length, it is the largest species of turaco. It has predominantly grey-blue plumage with an upright blue-black crest around 10 cm (3.9 in) high.
2/ THE ROYAL FLYCATCHER
Royal flycatchers are a genus, Onychorhynchus, of passerine birds in the Tityridae family. These birds measure between 16.5 – 18 cm (6.5-7) in length.
The male’s crest is red, with plumage above being brown with small buffy spots on his wing coverts.
3/ HOOPOES
Hoopoes are colorful birds found across Africa, Asia, and Europe, notable for their distinctive “crown” of feathers.
4/ THE PHILIPPINE EAGLE
The Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), also known as the monkey-eating eagle or great Philippine eagle, is a critically endangered species of eagle of the family Accipitridae which is endemic to forests in the Philippines. It has brown and white-colored plumage, a shaggy crest.
5/ BONE-EATING BEARDED VULTURE
The bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), also known as the lammergeier and ossifrage, is a very large bird of prey and the only member of the genus Gypaetus. Bearded vultures are variably orange or rust of plumage on their head, breast, and leg feathers, but this may be actually cosmetic.
6/ THE HOATZIN
The hoatzin (/hoʊˈtsɪn/, Opisthocomus hoazin), also known as the reptile bird, skunk bird, stinkbird, or Canje pheasant. Somewhat resembling a pheasant, this bird is about 25 inches in length with a long neck and small head. It has an unfeathered blue face with maroon eyes, and a head topped by an almost orange crest.
7/ THE CROWNED PIGEONS
The crowned pigeon (Goura), is a genus of birds in the Columbidae family which contains four large species of pigeon. One of the largest is the Victoria crowned pigeon, which is around 29 inches in length with mostly blue-grey plumage, and very elegant blue lace-like crests on their heads.
8/ BUFF LACED POLISH CHICKENS
Buff Laced Polish chickens are a very rare species of crested chicken. They are a European breed well known for their distinctive crests, otherwise known as “top hats.” An older breed they are thought to have originated in the Netherlands, going all the way back to the 14th century. Polish chickens have rich, golden buffed feathers, neatly layered in creamy white with dainty slate blue shanks and toes. Their crests of flowing feathers, coupled with a sprightly carriage make them one of the most prized breeds of all chickens.
9/ THE SULPHUR-CRESTED COCKATOO
The sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) is a relatively large white cockatoo found in wooded habitats in Australia, New Guinea, and some of the islands of Indonesia. The expressive crest is yellow.
10/ THE ORNATE HAWK-EAGLE
The ornate hawk-eagle (Spizaetus ornatus) is a fairly large bird of prey from the tropical Americas. All ornate hawk-eagles bear a long erectile crest, which may variously be laid flat against the head, protrude straight up like a spike or sometimes hang at a slight curve.
