For several hundred years, peacocks have been considered the most beautiful and majestic birds on the planet. This bird with a long beautiful tail is called royal in a number of countries. Peacocks gained their popularity for their unique tails, the plumage of which bears intricate patterns. However, not everyone knows that this bird with a beautiful tail is a close relative of the most common chicken, which is found in almost every rural farmstead.
Although this beauty is mostly found in the east, it got its name from the French. The name of the bird with a beautiful tail comes from the French pavilio, which literally means “tent.” The peacock received this name for its tail, which, when spread, resembles a tent.
It is noteworthy that the peacock gained its fame not only for its interesting plumage, but also for some other features, thanks to which it began to be domesticated. In this article we will tell you what a bird with a beautiful tail is called in different countries, and also tell you about the peculiarities of its life and habitat.
Long-tailed velvet weaver
Long-tailed velvet weavers (Euplectes progne) are South African birds, so named because of their almost entirely black coloration and, of course, their extremely long tail. Their six to eight tail feathers grow to more than 50 centimeters—about three times the bird's body length. In this original way, the males of this species demonstrate their health and physical fitness.
Researchers have found that male birds with longer tails are more popular with females.
Guiana cock of the rock
A bird the size of a sparrow literally glows like an orange spot against the backdrop of the vibrant colors of the tropical forests. At the same time, females of this species have to be content with a more discreet brown outfit. The feathered creature got its name due to its preference for nesting on the tops of rocks and boulders, as well as its characteristic crescent-shaped comb that carefully hides its beak.
The Guiana cock of the rock is well known for its mating ritual, which the males approach very responsibly, even despite the lack of desire to create a pair. The gentleman occupies a small area, clears it of debris, and then walks decorously around his territory, showing off his luxurious plumage and lush crest to the ladies nearby. The female is by no means frivolous and chooses among the presented candidates the most worthy, in her opinion, and after contact she devotes herself to creating conditions for future offspring. The male remains in his area, waiting for the next lady of his heart.
Thick-billed Azure Magpie
The thick-billed azure magpie (Urocissa caerulea) belongs to the crow family. However, unlike its counterparts, it is a brighter bird. The charming azure magpie is not afraid of people.
It is a symbol of Taiwan, so in foreign literature this bird is often called the Taiwanese magpie.
They are usually found in groups of six or more and hop along tree branches in the forest. They are widely known scavengers and omnivores. Their diet includes snakes, rodents, small insects, plants, fruits and seeds. Their favorite foods are wild figs and papaya. They hide the leftover food on the ground, covering it with leaves, so that they can return and finish the meal in the future.
The azure magpie is monogamous. Females incubate the eggs, and males help build nests and feed. Magpies are fiercely protective of their nests and will mercilessly attack intruders until they retreat.
Kingfisher
The bird got its name due to its low body temperature, which can be felt when holding a kingfisher in your hands. Its legs are very small, so it is impossible to walk on them - the bird moves on short flights. This beauty attracts attention with its bright plumage: it is replete with harmoniously combining blue and orange flowers.
The kingfisher settles close to streams or rivers, and in other words, next to a source of food. It eats small fish, which its blue plumage helps to hunt, camouflaging it while hovering over the water.
It is interesting that the male shows attention to the lady of his heart by presenting her with fish. Accepting the gift indicates mutual sympathy and means consent to create a couple. They live together only during the period of raising offspring, and spend the wintering separately. But with the onset of spring, each of them returns to last year's nest, where they are reunited again.
Astrapia
When talking about birds with beautiful plumage, one cannot fail to mention the astrapia mayeri. Males grow two unusually long tail feathers. They can grow up to 91 cm in length. The astrapia has the longest tail feathers in relation to body size.
Found in the western central highlands of Papua New Guinea, the species is listed as critically endangered. This is all due to the same tails of males, which people are actively hunting for.
Canary
You just can’t imagine how many breeds of these songbirds there are. In canaries, the females chirp like sparrows, but the males entertain the female with beautiful songs.
Breeds are divided into colored, ornamental and songbirds. The most unusual ones are decorative ones. In the picture you see the Crested Canary, they seemed to me the most unusual and attractive.
Blue-headed magnificent bird of paradise
Adorable tails don't have to be exceptionally long - they can also be exceptionally well styled. Such is the case with the tail of the blue-headed magnificent bird of paradise (Cicinnurus respublica).
The bird's unusual appearance, starting with its bare blue head, is made even more interesting by two purple tail feathers that curl in opposite directions. The bird was photographed in the wild for the first time as recently as 1996.
Flamingo
Flamingos are one of the brightest representatives of the bird kingdom! Characteristic external characteristics of the bird: tall stature, long curved neck, belly resembling a barrel. On its small head there is a massive beak.
It moves using its long legs, called stilts. The color scheme of the bird species includes shades of pink, but the flight feathers and beak of the flamingo are black.
Interesting fact: the flamingo bird often stands on one leg, and there is an explanation for this. According to numerous studies, it turned out that birds are more comfortable standing on one leg.
Great bird of paradise
Many members of the bird of paradise family have fancy plumage. However, few can match the great bird of paradise (Paradisaea apoda). The plumage of the males of this species is dark brown, with a yellow crown, dark emerald green throat, and blackish-brown breast. They have large yellow plumes on their sides and a pair of long wire tail feathers.
Females are also dark brown with a darker head and lighter belly and a yellow or white bill. These birds feed mainly on fruits, seeds and small insects. The length of Greater Birds of Paradise can reach 43 cm. It’s not for nothing that they are called big!
Eastern crowned crane
This beautiful and large bird is listed in the Red Book. The number of representatives of the species is tens of thousands of individuals, but due to the fact that the swamps are drying up, where the crowned cranes , and due to a number of other reasons, they need caring treatment.
The representative of the birds weighs about 5 kg and reaches a height of one meter. The eastern crane differs from the West African crane - the eastern one has a red spot above the white one, while the western one is larger. The crane's beak is black and slightly flattened on the sides. The eastern crane is distinguished by the fact that on its head there is a funny tuft of golden feathers.
Pennant-tailed Hummingbird
Even the smallest birds will go to great lengths to show off their fancy tails. The pennant-tailed hummingbird (Trochilus polytmus) is one such bird. Sometimes this bird is also called the “scissor-tailed hummingbird.” The reason for the alternative name is obvious.
Males sport tail feathers ranging from six to 18 centimeters long, while their bodies are only about 11.5 cm long. When the bird flies, the ribbon-like tail feathers float and make a buzzing sound. This species is the national bird of Jamaica.
Pheasant
Another game bird that deserves a mention.
The golden pheasant came from China, is suitable as an ornament, but lays eggs and is a good meat eater. By the way, they tolerate the European winter well. It’s a pity that the unusual color has greatly reduced the bird’s immunity and it is prone to diseases.
Liddogesia
When it comes to unusual feather designs, Loddigesia mirabilis sets the bar pretty high. And this despite the fact that they do not have many feathers in their tail. Males have only four tail feathers, two of which are elongated, cross over and end in bright purple discs that look like a shovel or a tennis racket. The feathers are used to distinguish themselves from other birds.
Green-headed tanager
The green-headed tanager is found in southeastern Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina. The bird is listed in the IUCN Red List.
The small colorful bird skillfully sneaks among the tropical foliage, making it difficult to spot. Its color is blue-green, which helps the tanager go unnoticed among the tropical forests.
The green-headed tanager does not hunt alone; a representative of this bird species is a family creature and travels in large groups, which usually include no more than 20 birds.
There is nothing more beautiful than watching a tanager in flight! Its plumage contains the most saturated colors. You look and understand how amazing wildlife is!
Paradise drongo
Loddigesia is not the only bird species with tail tips that look like small tennis rackets. The similarly flat-tipped paradise drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus) is a medium-sized bird from Asia. Thanks to its bizarre tail, from afar the drongo's flight looks more like two large bees chasing a black bird.
Drongos are aggressive and will sometimes attack larger birds, especially when they are nesting. These birds are more active at dusk. Their calls are extremely varied and include monotonously repeated whistles, metallic and nasal sounds, as well as more complex imitations of other birds. Scientists say that to do this, drongos study the behavior of other birds in flocks. This is a very unusual ability not found in other species.
Red cardinal
This beautiful, brightly colored bird can be seen in the eastern United States, Mexico and southeastern Canada. It has become one of the symbols of the Christmas holidays in America, Canada and Mexico.
The medium-sized bird is crimson in color, has a funny crest on its head and a black mask. The female differs from the male - her color is more grayish-brown, and reddish feathers can be seen on her chest, wings and crest.
Cardinals live not only in natural forests, but also close to humans - for example, in parks. In addition to its brightness and amazing beauty, the red cardinal is also famous for its singing, which resembles the trills of a nightingale. Birds live together, forming a pair for life.
Long-tailed Royal Tyrant
The long-tailed king tyranny (Tyrannus forficatus) is also sometimes called the Texas bird of paradise. Both males and females have long tails, however females tend to have tails that are 30% shorter.
They usually like to sit in open areas, such as on barbed wire fences. Tyrannus can be easily identified by their extremely long tails, which also help them perform acrobatic feats in pursuit of insects.
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Livingston's bananaeater
Based on the bird's name, its favorite treat should definitely be bananas, but it eats berries, insects and young shoots of plants, and the name is simply misleading. The distinctive features of this bird are a bright green crest with a white tip and a long tail. And the rich color, combining brilliant green, violet, blue, purple and red, is able to attract many glances. The amazing appearance of the bird evokes thoughts of something fabulous, especially when it bathes in the sun’s rays, shimmering like precious stones.
Banana eaters live in pairs or small groups. They are distinguished by tolerance towards representatives of other species, as well as an unfriendly attitude towards their relatives from neighboring groups, which is manifested in the fierce defense of their territory from them.
In captivity, the miniature bird manifests itself as a calm and friendly creature and easily gets used to humans.
Quezal
This beauty is found in the southernmost parts of North America and Central America. The quezal (Pharomachrus mocinno) is a key character in Mesoamerican mythology and is the national bird of Guatemala.
The long tail feathers of males can grow up to 66 cm. Mesoamerican rulers wore headdresses made from quezal feathers. Feathers were plucked from live birds, and then the birds were released again because it was considered a crime to kill them. They were and still are very highly respected.
Mandarin duck
This bird rightfully receives the title of Miss Duck World. In any case, it looks very impressive against the background of wood ducks, to which it belongs. The drake looks especially good. Its varied plumage contrasts favorably with the less vibrant colors of the wild. However, with the arrival of cold weather, it molts and takes on a completely different appearance, which is why it is often mistaken for another species.
It is believed that the bird got its name due to its coloring, reminiscent of the lush clothes of officials of noble origin in China, Vietnam and Korea, who were called mandarins.
Paradise widow
These relatives of sparrows have long, straight tail feathers that make them stand out anywhere. Paradise widowbirds (Vidua paradisaea) are brood parasites, meaning females lay eggs in the nests of another bird species. New parents raise these imposter chicks, often to the detriment of their own children.
The males' tail feathers are approximately three times their body length, but males only display them during the breeding season. Outside the breeding season, males look almost identical to females.
Reproduction
Ornithologists characterize peacocks as polygamous birds. Each male individual has his own “harem”. It usually consists of 4-5 females. The breeding season for peacocks begins in mid-spring and ends in October.
Before nesting, the males of these birds perform peculiar courtship dances. They spread their colorful tail, scream loudly and shake it. At the same time, they swing from side to side, demonstrating it from all sides.
During the mating season, fierce fights often occur between adult males. It is noteworthy that if the female does not show due attention to the male, then he may turn his back towards her. Thus he shows her his indifference. Such courtship continues until the female is completely ready to mate.
These birds place their nests on the ground. At the same time, they choose places that are most sheltered from prying eyes. In rare cases, their nests can be seen in trees. If birds live near human habitation, you can often find their nests on the roofs of houses. Sometimes peacocks can occupy empty nests of large birds of prey.
Only the female incubates the eggs. The incubation period lasts 4 weeks. Chicks, like other representatives of Galliformes, can follow their mother immediately after birth.
Great lyre bird
The best thing about the great lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) is the literal translation of its English name - “magnificent lyrebird”, because. her tail feathers are simply magnificent. Males take about seven years to grow their tail to its maximum beauty.
To show off his stunning feathers, the male of this Australian bird species spreads 16 tail feathers above his head, forming a sort of canopy. But even without this posturing, the tail of the lyre bird is a miracle of natural beauty.
Painted Bunting Cardinal
The second name for the painted bunting cardinal is magnificent bunting . This small bird is common in the USA and Mexico; it spends the winter in the Bahamas, Panama, Cuba, and Jamaica.
The painted cardinal is an unusually timid and mysterious bird, the color of the female and male is different. The female has a lemon-greenish crown, back and nape, while the male has a blue head and red underside.
The magnificent bunting is not only a beautiful little bird, but also an excellent singer! The male climbs high into the tree and sings.
Brown momot
The brown momot (Eumomota superciliosa) was discovered in Central America. Like the royal tyrant, the momot likes to sit outdoors. This makes it quite easy to spot and admire its black and royal blue feathers. Both males and females have beautiful tails with two longer feathers that end in a flattened diamond shape, like the drongo or lyddohesia.
Red-tailed buzzard (Buteo jamaicensis)
photo Mark Heatherington
The red-tailed buzzard is found throughout North America. You can see these magnificent birds soaring high in the sky. In addition to its majestic appearance and wide wings, the red-tailed buzzard can impress with the beauty of its tail. The tail of these birds is short but wide. As the name suggests, the tail has a beautiful brick color. The color of other parts of the buzzard's body is as beautiful as its tail.
Peacock
Peacock (Pavo Linnaeus) is a bird with the most beautiful tail of all birds. This bird is known throughout the world for its fan of iridescent tail feathers, which make up up to 60% of its total body length.
The peacock not only has long feathers that boast an “eye” at the end. The tail also contains a set of 20 smaller tail feathers that help support the other feathers when the bird displays its tail.
While colorful display is a significant part of the peacock's appeal, there is also a subspecies of the white peacock that has all its feathers white. These are not albino birds, but simply a genetic mutation that makes them white and they produce white offspring. Perhaps this is even for the better: they look very much like fairy-tale birds.
Origin of the species and description
Photo: Redstart
The first formal description of the redstart was made by the Swedish naturalist C. Linnaeus in 1758 in the publication Systema Naturae under the binomial name Motacilla phoenicurus. The genus name Phoenicurus was designated by the English naturalist Tomos Forster in 1817. The genus and species name phoenicurus comes from two ancient Greek words phoinix “red” and -ouros “tailed”.
Interesting fact: Redstarts are typical members of the family Muscicapidae, as rightly indicated by the etymology of the scientific name, born from the merger of two Latin terms “musca” = fly and “capere” = catch.
The closest genetic relative of the common redstart is the white-browed redstart, although sampling of the genus gives some uncertainty to this. Its ancestors may have been the first redstarts to spread to Europe. They are thought to have diverged from the black redstart group about 3 million years ago during the late Pliocene.
Video: Redstart
Genetically, common and black redstarts are still quite compatible and can produce hybrids that appear healthy and fertile. However, these two groups of birds are separated by different behavioral traits and ecological requirements, so hybrids are very rare in nature. The redstart became the bird of the year in Russia in 2015.
Choose for yourself
This one didn’t quite turn out to be TOP. It is impossible to choose the most beautiful bird. Each has its own characteristics and charm. I selected the most beautiful representatives of birds familiar to us, like the pigeon, and added five very beautiful birds, from my point of view. How do you like them? Did you learn something new?
And if you want to read something else from the category of the very best, then I advise you to read about the most beautiful plants, the smartest dogs, about the most famous sculptures, the most expensive cats, and read about dinosaurs, it’s interesting. That's all for today!
Alla was with you, once a canary breeder and parrot lover.
Lori parrot
We often see parrots, which are mostly endowed by nature with bright colors. However, among parrots there are certain representatives who are considered the most beautiful. One of these colorful flying creatures is the Lorian parrot. A specific feature of the bird is a tongue with a brush, thanks to which the Lori parrot collects pollen and nectar, like a bee.
How the redstart sings
Birds sing with melodious, abrupt trills of medium tonality. In their voice you can hear sounds similar to the singing of a finch, tit, starling or pied flycatcher. Birds trill almost constantly and fall silent only with the onset of night.
Interesting! It is predominantly males who sing. Throughout the day, birds can perform up to fifty songs.
