Feathered Oddities: 10 birds so rare and beautiful they seem unreal

Resplendent Quetzal (Central America): With its iridescent green feathers and long tail feathers, the quetzal is revered in Mesoamerican cultures. It resides in cloud forests and eats fruit. (Image: Canva)

Kakapo (New Zealand): Flightless and night-flying, the Kakapo is endemic to New Zealand. Critically threatened, it's famous for its gentle disposition and mossy-green plumage. (Image: Canva)

Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise (Indonesia): This stunning bird boasts electric-blue feet, a brilliant green breast shield, and a special courtship dance. It inhabits distant Indonesian islands. (Image: Canva)

Philippine Eagle (Philippines): One of the world's largest and most unusual eagles, it has beautiful blue-grey eyes and an enormous wingspan. It's a critically endangered species threatened by deforestation. (Image: Canva)

Hoatzin (South America): The "stinkbird" due to its prehistoric appearance that produces a pungent smell and sports claws on its wing when juvenile. Native to Amazonian swamps. (Image: Canva)

Sri Lanka Frogmouth (Sri Lanka & India): With brilliant camouflage, this bird looks like a dry leaf. Its eerie call and drowsy eyes make it an enigma of South Asian forests. (Image: Canva)

Ribbon-tailed Astrapia (Papua New Guinea): Renowned for its very long white tail feathers, this bird is seen in mountain forests. Its iridescent plumage contributes to its stunning beauty. (Image: @worldbirds32/X)

Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (South America): With the red-orange crest of this bird, it is the national bird of Peru. Males congregate to undertake elaborate dances to win mates. (Image: Canva)

Shoebill Stork (Africa): This bird features a huge shoe-shaped bill and a prehistoric-like look. It inhabits East African swamps, standing for hours at a time while hunting. (Image: Canva)

Harpy Eagle: One of the world’s most powerful eagles, with fearsome talons and a dramatic feather crown. Found in Central and South America. (Image: Canva)