221 Exotic Birds Encyclopedia

The Opisthocomus hoazin (scientific name) or hoatzin is found in swamps and mangroves of the Amazon and the Orinoco Delta, South America. 26 inches in length, the hoatzin has a long neck and small head. The upperparts are dark sooty-brown, wings chestnut-coloured, and underparts are buff. The neck and mantle are brown with buff streaks. […]

The Corvus crassirostris (scientific name) or thick-billed raven is found in mountainous and high plateau regions of Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia. 25 inches in length, the thick-billed raven has a very unique bill. Large and laterally compressed, the bill is black, with a white tip and nasal grooves. Overall the plumage is greasy glossy black,

The Buceros bicornis (scientific name) or great hornbill is a native of the forests of South and South-East Asia. 37-51 inches in length, this bird’s plumage is predominantly jet black, with a yellow neck. The beak is large and downward curved. The upper mandible is yellow and the lower is white. There are also white

The Hemignathus obscurus (scientific name) or akialoa is an extinct species of honeycreepers, which were found on the Hawaiian Islands. Divided into higher and lesser akialoa based on their size and geographic distribution within the Hawaiian Islands, this bird was last seen in 1967. 5-7 inches in length, the beak of the akialoa was almost

The Acrocephalus familiaris kingi (scientific name) or nihoa millerbird is endemic to the Nihoa Island, Hawaiian Islands. Only 5 inches in length, this bird has dark sepia wings, a white under body and short dark beak. They are extremely shy and spend most of their time near the forest floor, foraging for insects, which constitute

The Pseudonestor xanthophrys (scientific name) or maui parrotbill is found only in a patch of 50 square kilometre of wet forest in Maui, Hawaii. 5.5 inches in length, this bird is one of the largest honeycreepers of its species. It has a yellow chest, cheek and belly, and olive-green wings, crown, tail and back. The

The Loddigesia mirabillis (scientific name) or marvellous spatuletail is found only in very small areas in the North-Western parts of Peru. 5.9 inches in length, this hummingbird has white, green and bronze plumage. This is brightened by the blue head crest feathers, beautiful turquoise throat and black lined under- parts. It gets its name from

The Loxioides bailleui (scientific name) or palila is presently found only on the Mauna Kea slopes on the island of Hawaii. Measuring 6.0-7.5 inches in length, this bird has a lovely yellow head and breast, olive-green wings and tail and light-to-medium grey plumage on the lower and upper parts respectively. Its diet is solely comprised

The Amazilla luciae (scientific name) or Honduran emerald is endemic to the tropical dry forests and shrub lands of Honduras. 3.7 inches in length, this little hummingbird has a glittering blue-green throat and upper chest. The upperparts are bright green and have bronze tinge. The lower belly is grey with green spots. The tail is

The Mergus merganser (scientific name) or common merganser is a duck which is found in the rivers and lakes of forests, in Europe, North and Central Asia and North America. 23-28 inches in length, the merganser (known as Goosander in Eurasia) has beautiful white plumage all over, except the head, neck and shoulder blade area,

The Myrmotherula snowi (scientific name) or Alagoas antwren is endemic to the moist tropical lowland forests of Brazil. A little over 3.5 inches in length, this tiny bird has entirely grey plumage with paler underparts and a small black patch on its throat. The female, on the other hand, is yellow-brownish on the upperparts, and

The Alpalharpactes reinwardtii (scientific name) or Javan trogon is found only in the tropical moist montane forests, in Western Java, Indonesia. 13.3 inches in length, this bird has striking green and yellow plumage. The upperparts are in varying shades of green, excepting the blue tail. And the underparts are bright yellow, with a large green

The Dicaeum quadricolour (scientific name) or Cebu flowerpecker is found only in the forests on the Cebu Island, the Philippines. Until recently, this bird was feared to be extinct. But in 1992, it was spotted in the limestone forests on the island. 4.0-4.5 inches in length, this bird is known for its four distinctive colours.

The Apteryx mantelli (scientific name) or Northern brown kiwi is the most commonly found bird in the Northern parts of New Zealand. Found almost in all varieties of habitat along the Northern part of New Zealand, this bird is more heard than seen because of its nocturnal behaviour pattern.16 inches in height, this bird has

The Leptoptilos dubius (scientific name) or greater adjutant is a stork presently found only in India and Cambodia. 55-60 inches in height, this bird acquired its name because of its military gait. It has a long bare yellow to red neck which ends in a white ruff collar. The wings are slate blue-grey and the