There are a few different birds that have distinctive feathers sticking up on top of their heads. This unique plumage serves different purposes for each species. Some use their specialized feathers for courtship displays, while others may use them to signal dominance or defend their territory. Let’s explore some of the most recognizable birds that sport gravity-defying featherdos.
Birds With Feather Crests
One of the most well-known birds with feathers on its head is the cockatoo. There are over 20 species of cockatoo that inhabit forests and woodlands of Australia, New Guinea, and the islands of Indonesia. All cockatoos have an erectile crest of feathers on their heads that can be raised or lowered. When a cockatoo is alarmed or excited, its crest will stand straight up, making the bird appear larger and more intimidating. Cockatoos use their crests to communicate mood, signal warnings, and attract mates.
Another recognizable crested bird is the cedar waxwing. This North American songbird gets its name from the unique red wax-like tips on its secondary feathers. Cedar waxwings have a spiky crest that sits high on the back of their heads. Their crest has socio-sexual importance and is prominently displayed during courtship. The bigger and brighter a waxwing’s crest, the more attractive they are to potential mates.
The common pheasant displays extravagant feathers on its head that can lay flat or stand erect. Native to Asia, these large gamebirds have been introduced around the world for hunting. Males are known for their bright gold and brown plumage, red fleshy face, and two long tail feathers. Their vertically fanned head crest is used to signal dominance and serves as an ornament to attract females during mating season.
There are also numerous species of ducks, such as the mallard, that have a distinctive curl of feathers topping their heads. This crest helps streamline their profile when swimming and protects their eyes from sunlight while feeding. Both male and female mallards will raise their head feathers to signal aggression or display interest during courtship.
Birds With Feather Tufts
Certain birds grow decorative feather tufts on their heads rather than an upright crest. The great crested flycatcher gets its name from the bushy lemon-colored crest perched high on its forehead. But the two feathers that stand up above its eyes are actually referred to as “head tufts” rather than a true crest. These feathers may help camouflage its face as it waits motionless to catch flying insects.
Some owls have expressive ear tufts or “horns” that allow them to communicate without making a sound. The great horned owl has prominent feather tufts that look like ears and give it a unique silhouette in flight. Long-eared owls have even more exaggerated tufts that can reach over 2 inches long. They use subtle movements of these feathers to signal messages to other owls in their territory.
The northern cardinal is easily identified by its sharp red plumage and the distinctive pointed crest atop its head. Both males and females have a crest, but the male’s tuft is longer and more prominent. Cardnals raise and lower their crests to signal different levels of aggression when defending their territory.
Another iconic tufted bird is the blue jay. Its blue, black, and white plumage is accented by a blue-tinged crest that lies flat on its head. When excited or aggressive, the blue jay rapidly raises and lowers this crest to signal its mood. Crest position also helps indicate social status among blue jays.
Birds With Spiky Head Plumage
Some species grow specialized feathers on their heads that stick out erratically rather than forming an upright crest or tuft. The common loon has sharply-angled feathers on the back of its head that appear spiky and disheveled. These help the aquatic bird shed water and add to its distinctive appearance. Dramatic head plumage also allows loons to communicate while swimming. A loon will lay its head feathers flat when resting or raise them upright when alert or agitated.
The male blue-crowned motmot has unique racket-tipped plumes extending from its forehead that look like a set of crossed swords. These specialized feathers are actually hollow shafts devoid of barbs or hooks. The motmot rubs its head plumes against branches to fray their tips into a spiky appearance. Males display these during elaborate courtship dances to attract females.
Another tropical bird called the yellow-crowned amazon parrot has distinctive pointed feathers sprouting from behind its eyes. Its bold yellow crest contrasts with the bright red of its crown and cheeks. This amazon uses its spiky head plumage in visual communication and courtship displays.
The downy woodpecker is native to North America and sports a bold red crest on the back of its head. While subtle in females, the male’s scarlet red feathers are pushed forward into a jagged, spiky appearance. The woodpecker’s flexible crest lies flat while feeding but points upward when he’s agitated. It also serves as a signal to indicate aggression and territory.
Birds With Full Head Plumage
Some species grow feathers not just on top of their heads but all around their face and neck. The ring-necked pheasant has a collar of shiny feathers wrapping all the way around its neck. Iridescent plumage fills in the area between its eyes, over its cheeks, and behind its bill, covering its head in feathers. This patterning and coloration help distract predators and allow the bird to blend into grassland habitats.
The bearded reedling is covered in fluffy feathers all over its round head and throat. Its thick plumage extends to form a “beard” under its chin. This bird lives in reed beds where its feathered head helps provide camouflage. Its appearance gave rise to nicknames like the “bearded tit” or “bearded parrotbill.”
Woodcocks are plump shorebirds with very rounded, feathered heads and long slender bills. Their cryptic plumage allows them to perfectly blend in among dead leaves on the forest floor. When alarmed, the woodcock will point its bill straight up toward the sky, aligning its camouflaged head with its mottled body.
The horned puffin gets both its common name and scientific name (“Fratercula corniculata”) from the shiny yellow feathers curving above its eyes. A black puffin subspecies has more extensive white plumes wrapping around the sides and back of the head. These dynamic feathers stood out to early naturalists but likely help puffins blend in while nesting on rocky cliffs.
Birds With Curious Crown Feathers
Some species have feather growth limited only to the very top or crown of the head. The king penguin’s bright orange feathers sprout exactly where a crown would sit on royalty. Both males and females flaunt this vibrant coloring during courtship rituals. The king penguin instincts to find a mate with the brightest, most perfect crown feathers possible.
The hooded merganser is named for the fan-shaped white crest neatly situated on the crown of the male’s head. In contrast, the female merganser’s crest is smaller and rusty-brown rather than crisp white. Male mergansers will open and close their striking crest during mating displays and aggressive interactions.
Male northern flickers grow a bold black bib under their bill and a dot of bright red feathers on the crown of the head. These crown feathers can be raised and lowered to signal aggression or courtship to other flickers. Interestingly, a flicker’s head markings can be used to identify their subspecies.
Birds With Bizarre Feather Ornaments
A few unique bird species take head plumage to the next level, with feathers growing into extreme shapes and sizes atop their heads. Male peafowl, or peacocks, are renowned for their iridescent train of tail feathers that unfurl into a massive circular display. But peacocks also grow ornamental feathers on their heads called crests. These crests fan upwards and outwards, with long plumules dangling overhead. During courtship, males will fully erect these vibrant crests to attract peahens.
The aptly named umbrella bird sprouts specialized quill feathers from the top of its head. These can grow over a foot long and join at the tips to form a broad canopy or “umbrella” overhanging the bird’s bill. This umbrella is supported by additional head feathers that join it to the stem-like feathers projecting upwards from the bird’s head. Males perform elaborate courtship rituals, popcorning and snapping their umbrellas to attract females.
The Andean cock-of-the-rock gets its name from the wild fan of golden yellow feathers protruding sideways from its head. This exotic plumage inspired its nicknames “orange-crested cock-of-the-rock” and “Peruvian cock-of-the-rock.” Displaying males will spread their wing feathers and cockade to entice females during communal breeding gatherings. The size and color intensity of a male’s cockade signals his fitness.
The male Guianan cock-of-the-rock takes head plumage to an extreme with a bulbous, disk-shaped crest crowning its head. Their crest starts growing after one year and reaches full size by year three. Dominant males have fully circular crests, while subordinate males may have asymmetric feathers. Females lacks a prominent ornamental crest.
Conclusion
From classic crest and tufts to extravagant plumes and cockades, numerous bird species have evolved specialized feathers on their heads. This plumage serves a variety of purposes depending on the species. Head feathers allow birds to communicate moods and status, signal warnings, defend territories, attract mates, and blend into their environment more effectively. Next time you observe birds, take a close look at their captivating crown of feathers. What unique crests, tufts, and cockades adorn their heads?