Is there such a thing as an ugly bird?
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382068)
Rockingham, Australia
February 22, 2016 1:42am CST
I wrote a post 'Bad Hair Day' and in the comments @LadyDuck said there were no ugly birds. I'm wondering what you think about the hoatzin or stink bird which is found in the Orinoco and Amazon delta regions of South America. It is the national bird of Guyana. Its bizarre shape, Mohican haircut and cape-like wings give it a primitive appearance which could hardly be called attractive. The large crest is responsible for its genus name of Opisthocomus, an Ancient Greek word meaning 'wearing long hair behind'. It is the only representative of the genus so is a monotypic species.
Its unique digestive system gives it a pungent odour. It is clumsy in flight and often crash-lands. The chicks are hatched with claws on the thumb and first finger. These disappear later. If threatened by predatory birds, the chicks will drop into the water and swim underwater to get away. Adults are unable to swim. There are other interesting facts about this bird but that's probably enough for one discussion. Do you think it is ugly?
Photo free to use from Wilkimedia
19 people like this
20 responses
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
22 Feb 16
No, I dont think anything under the sun is ugly. Some people may act ugly but are not.
2 people like this
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@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
22 Feb 16
It's not ugly - I know people far uglier than that LOL.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
22 Feb 16
@JudyEv Give up join the right side.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
22 Feb 16
those orange feathers are lovely
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
23 Feb 16
@JudyEv lol, there is beauty in most things
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
22 Feb 16
That bird did not strike me as ugly. Now a turkey...they are not attractive.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
24 Feb 16
@JudyEv the bird looks a little odd, but I'm not sure I would say ugly. I used to find that the chickens, at about 2 weeks of age were kind of ugly. They were in transition between fluff and feathers, and were more like awkward teenagers.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382068)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Feb 16
@Morleyhunt I think there are many animals that go through a gawky stage at their equivalent of 'teenage'.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
23 Feb 16
I wouldn't call it ugly but certainly unusual. Have you ever seen a turkey vulture, now that is one ugly bird.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
23 Feb 16
@JudyEv Yes they are, arguably the ugliest bird on Mother Earth.
1 person likes this
@rashkhan (142)
• Delhi, India
22 Feb 16
Beauty lies in the eyes of beholder. What mighty be ugly for some may be beautiful for others. I personally don't believe in the word ugly. For me some things are less beautiful than the others. I would definitely never hold this stink bird
but its pretty beautiful in a primitive sense.
but its pretty beautiful in a primitive sense.1 person likes this
@rashkhan (142)
• Delhi, India
22 Feb 16
@JudyEv I would say I am an optimistic person and mostly see the good in people. It is a fault in me but it makes me happy in life. Nobody is perfect so why be bothered by the imperfection. Infact I like imperfection, coz their will always be scope of improvement. Does that sound too philosophical
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
3 Jul 20
This bird looks interesting. It also looks like a mythological creature. You have collected a number of facts about this bird.
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
22 Feb 16
I don't think he's ugly... just scruffy.... like you say... having a bad hair day....
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43595)
• Denver, Colorado
22 Feb 16
I don't know, that bird looks OK to me.
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