5 FACTS ABOUT

BIZARRE BIRDS

1 Bush stonecurlew

These thickkneed birds are known for their high-pitched calls that sound like a bone-chilling scream. It’s often hard to spot where the screams are coming from because their plumage also makes them blend in among leaf litter.

2 Lyrebird

The master of vocal mimicry, this amazing bird is capable of copying the calls of 20 different bird species. Some have even been found to mimic other sounds such as chainsaws and car alarms.

3 Cassowary

These dinosaur-looking flightless birds have evolved a helmet, or ‘casque’, on top of their heads, made from a spongy material and covered in keratin. Scientists still don’t really know for sure why they have them.

4 Laughing kookaburra

As the name suggests, these birds are best known for their bird call, which sounds like a maniacal chuckle. They usually call during early dawn and at dusk, which earned them the nickname of ‘bushman’s clock’.

5 Tawny frogmouth

Blending seamlessly with tree bark, these cryptic creatures are known more for their wide mouths than their feathers. It allows them to prey on small mammals as well as reptiles, frogs and other birds.