Birds That Look More Like Dinosaurs, Reptiles, and Aliens

Quick Take

• One bird on this list grows claws on its wings, and it actually uses them. See the clawed wings →
• A bird hides in plain sight so effectively that people walk directly past it without ever knowing it's there. Meet the master of disguise →
• One of these birds hunts venomous snakes, though it does not use its beak to do so. Watch it kick snakes →
• There's a bird that navigates exactly like a bat, and the reason has nothing to do with its eyes. Discover its echolocation →

When most people imagine a bird, they picture an animal with feathers, wings, and a beak perched on a tree branch. However, evolution has created some species so unusual that they barely resemble birds at all. Some look like reptiles, others resemble plants, and a few appear more like extraterrestrial creatures from an unknown planet than members of the bird family. Their strange looks and odd features usually have important purposes. They help with camouflage, hunting, attracting mates, and survival in challenging environments. Here are eight birds that look decidedly un-bird-like.

Shoebill

The shoebill looks more like a prehistoric dinosaur than a bird. Standing nearly five feet tall, it has a massive beak shaped sort of like a wooden clog. Its creepy stare and slow, deliberate movements add to its eerie appearance. Shoebills hunt fish, lungfish, and small reptiles in African wetlands and manage to look super intimidating while doing it.

Potoo

Potoos are masters of disguise. During the day, they sit upright and stay perfectly still. Their mottled feathers camouflage perfectly with tree bark, making them seem like broken branches. Even their posture adds to the illusion. Many people walk right past a potoo without realizing a bird is nearby.

Southern Cassowary

The southern cassowary looks like an ostrich-dinosaur hybrid. Its bright blue head, helmet-like casque, and strong legs make it extremely unique. Unlike most harmless members of the bird world, cassowaries can be dangerous when threatened. Their thick feet and sharp claws can cause serious injuries. These formidable birds seem like they time-traveled from the Jurassic era. 

Frogmouth

Frogmouths are so named for their enormous mouths and broad heads that make them look more like amphibians than birds. This unusual appearance is not for nothing; it helps them capture insects and small animals. They also rely on camouflage to blend into their surroundings during the day. Their feathers resemble bark and dead wood. This bird with the strange name has one of the funniest-looking faces in the avian world.

Secretary Bird

The secretary bird looks like someone combined an eagle with a crane and threw in a pair of stilts. The predator spends much of its time roaming its African habitat rather than flying. As if its unsettling looks weren’t intimidating enough, it hunts snakes and other prey using forceful kicks. Its long legs give it a sleek silhouette that contrasts with its fierce hunting ability. The species is both elegant and bizarre.

Hoatzin

The hoatzin is one of the strangest birds alive. Young hoatzins possess claws on their wings, a trait that seems quite dinosaur-like. Chicks use these claws to climb through vegetation before they are fully capable of flight. Adults have a spiky crest and an unusual digestive system that ferments plant material. Their clawed appendages and high-fiber diet are both odd in the bird world.

Oilbird

Somewhat like bats, oilbirds spend their lives in dark caves and find their way using a form of echolocation. Their large eyes and nocturnal lifestyle further contribute to their bat-like nature. They emerge at night to feed on fruit and return to their cavern homes before sunrise. Few birds are active at night and live in such an elusive manner.

Long-Wattled Umbrellabird

The long-wattled umbrellabird has both a fun name and an almost unreal appearance. Males sport a large, feathered crest that hangs over the top of the head like a stylish umbrella. They also have an ultra-long, dangling throat pouch known as a wattle. During courtship displays, these features become quite elaborate. It is difficult to believe such a bizarre-looking bird actually exists.