Crested Birds

Crested birds are a fascinating group of avian species distinguished by the unique feathers atop their heads, known as crests. These striking features vary widely across species. For example, cockatoos can raise or lower their vibrant crests at will, resembling a regal crown, while crowned cranes sport permanently raised feathers that add a touch of elegance. From the bold sulphur-crested cockatoo to the exotic Victoria crowned pigeon, these birds captivate with their diversity.Yes, species like cockatiels and cockatoos are popular pets due to their distinctive crests and engaging personalities.

Table of Crested Birds

Bird Name	Habitat	Notable Feature
African Crane	Wetlands, savannas	Graceful, fixed crest
African Hoopoe	Woodlands, grasslands	Fan-shaped, colorful crest
Amazonian Royal Flycatcher	Tropical rainforests	Vibrant, fan-like crest
Atlantic Royal Flycatcher	Coastal forests	Striking crest for display
Bannerman’s Turaco	Montane forests	Bright green crest
Bare-faced Go Away Bird	Savannas, woodlands	Subtle crest, unique call
Belted Kingfisher	Rivers, lakes	Shaggy crest, expert diver
Black-crested Titmouse	Oak woodlands	Bold black crest
Black-crowned Crane	Wetlands, grasslands	Golden crown-like crest
Black-crowned Night Heron	Marshes, coastlines	Sleek crest, nocturnal
Black-throated Magpie-jay	Dry forests	Long, curved crest
Blue Jay	Mixed forests	Vibrant blue crest
Bohemian Waxwing	Coniferous forests	Sleek, pointed crest
Bridled Titmouse	Pine-oak woodlands	Subtle crest, agile flyer
Brown-crested Flycatcher	Deserts, scrublands	Earthy-toned crest
California Quail	Chaparral, woodlands	Comma-shaped crest
Cedar Waxwing	Forests, orchards	Smooth, waxy crest
Cockatiel	Arid woodlands, grasslands	Movable, bright crest
Crested Auklet	Coastal cliffs, oceans	Curly crest, ocean dweller
Crested Barbet	Woodlands, gardens	Bristly, colorful crest
Crested Caracara	Open plains, deserts	Sharp crest, scavenger
Crested Duck	Lakes, marshes	Fluffy crest, waterfowl
Crested Kingfisher	Rivers, streams	Large, spiky crest
Crested Partridge	Tropical forests	Vibrant red crest
Curl-crested Aracari	Rainforests	Curled, unique crest
Dalmatian Pelican	Lakes, deltas	Feathery crest, massive bill
Demoiselle Crane	Grasslands, wetlands	Delicate, flowing crest
Double Crested Cormorant	Coasts, inland waters	Dual crests, diving bird
Dusky-capped Flycatcher	Pine forests	Subtle crest, forest dweller
Elegant Tern	Coastal beaches	Sleek black crest (breeding)
Eurasian Hoopoe	Open woodlands, fields	Striped, fan-like crest
Fischer’s Turaco	Forests, woodlands	Vivid crest, forest bird
Gambel’s Quail	Deserts, scrublands	Plump crest, desert runner
Golden-crowned Kinglet	Coniferous forests	Hidden golden crest
Golden-crowned Sparrow	Shrublands, forests	Bright crown stripe
Golden Pheasant	Mountain forests	Radiant, golden crest
Gray Catbird	Thickets, gardens	Subtle crest, mimic singer
Gray-crowned Crane	Wetlands, savannas	Regal, straw-like crest
Great Blue Heron	Marshes, rivers	Wispy crest, tall wader
Great Blue Turaco	Rainforests	Tall, blue crest
Great Crested Flycatcher	Deciduous forests	Bold crest, insect hunter
Great Crested Grebe	Lakes, ponds	Ornate crest, water dancer
Great Curassow	Tropical forests	Curly crest, forest bird
Greater Crested Tern	Coastal waters	Black crest (breeding), sea flyer
Greater Roadrunner	Deserts, scrublands	Sleek crest, speedy runner
Green Turaco	Forests, woodlands	Glossy green crest
Guianan Cock-of-the-rock	Rainforests	Bright orange crest
Guinea Turaco	Savanna woodlands	Vibrant crest, social bird
Harpy Eagle	Tropical rainforests	Fierce, spiky crest
Harris’s Sparrow	Tundra, shrublands	Subtle crest, winter visitor
Hartlaub’s Turaco	Montane forests	Colorful crest, African native
Himalayan Monal	Mountain forests	Iridescent crest, mountain bird
Hooded Merganser	Lakes, rivers	Collapsible crest, diver
Indian Peafowl	Forests, farmlands	Iconic, fan-like crest
Indian Roller	Open woodlands	Subtle crest, aerial acrobat
Juniper Titmouse	Juniper woodlands	Small, gray crest
Kagu	Rainforests	Wispy crest, rare species
Knysna Turaco	Coastal forests	Green crest, forest dweller
Livingstone’s Turaco	Montane forests	Bright crest, African bird
Madagascar Hoopoe	Dry forests, scrub	Striped crest, island native
Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo	Arid woodlands	Pink and yellow crest
Mandarin Duck	Forested rivers	Ornate crest, colorful drake
Northern Cardinal	Woodlands, gardens	Sharp, red crest
Northern Lapwing	Fields, wetlands	Wispy crest, field bird
Northern Royal Flycatcher	Tropical forests	Dramatic crest, tropical
Oak Titmouse	Oak woodlands	Subtle crest, oak lover
Orange-crowned Warbler	Forests, shrublands	Hidden orange crest
Pacific Royal Flycatcher	Rainforests	Fan-shaped crest, vibrant
Palm Cockatoo	Rainforests, woodlands	Large, black crest
Phainopepla	Deserts, scrublands	Sleek crest, desert bird
Pileated Woodpecker	Mature forests	Red crest, forest drummer
Pink Cockatoo	Arid woodlands	Pastel pink crest
Polish Chicken	Domestic (farms)	Fluffy crest, domestic breed
Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco	Dry forests	Rare, colorful crest
Pyrrhuloxia	Deserts, thorn scrub	Red crest, desert cardinal
Red-breasted Merganser	Coastal waters, lakes	Spiky crest, diving duck
Red-crested Cardinal	Grasslands, woodlands	Bright red crest
Red-crested Turaco	Forests, savannas	Crimson crest, African bird
Red-faced Cormorant	Coastal cliffs	Subtle crest, coastal
Red-legged Seriema	Grasslands, scrub	Tall crest, grassland stalker
Red-vented Bulbul	Gardens, woodlands	Small crest, chatty bird
Red-whiskered Bulbul	Forests, urban areas	Red-tufted crest
Ringed Kingfisher	Rivers, lakes	Shaggy crest, river hunter
Rock Hopper Penguin	Rocky coasts	Yellow crest, bouncy mover
Ross’s Turaco	Montane forests	Vibrant crest, forest bird
Royal Flycatcher	Tropical forests	Stunning crest, display king
Royal Tern	Coastal beaches	Black crest (breeding), sea bird
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Coniferous forests	Hidden ruby crest
Ruffed Grouse	Mixed forests	Fan-like crest, forest bird
Rufous-collared Sparrow	Grasslands, shrublands	Subtle crest, songster
Rufous-crested-coquette	Rainforests	Tiny, rufous crest
Rufous-crowned Sparrow	Scrublands, deserts	Earthy crest, scrub dweller
Rwenzori Turaco	Mountain forests	Bright crest, mountain bird
Sandwich Tern	Coastal waters	Sleek crest, coastal flyer
Scaled Quail	Deserts, grasslands	White-tipped crest
Schalow’s Turaco	Montane forests	Tall crest, African native
Scheepmaker’s Crowned Pigeon	Lowland forests	Lacy crest, massive bird
Sclater’s Crowned Pigeon	Rainforests	Ornate crest, rare beauty
Secretary Bird	Savannas, grasslands	Quill-like crest, snake hunter
Silver Pheasant	Mountain forests	Sleek crest, silvery shine
Smew	Lakes, rivers	White crest, diving duck
Stellar’s Jay	Coniferous forests	Bold blue crest
Sulphur Crested Cockatoo	Woodlands, forests	Bright yellow crest
Tufted Duck	Lakes, ponds	Drooping crest, waterfowl
Tufted Flycatcher	Mountain forests	Small crest, agile hunter
Tufted Puffin	Coastal cliffs	Breeding tufts, sea bird
Tufted Titmouse	Deciduous forests	Gray crest, curious bird
Vermilion Flycatcher	Open woodlands, deserts	Bright red crest
Victoria Crowned Pigeon	Rainforests	Lacy blue crest
Violet Turaco	Forests, woodlands	Purple crest, striking bird
Western Crowned Pigeon	Lowland forests	Elegant crest, forest giant
White-bellied Go-away-bird	Savannas, woodlands	Subtle crest, noisy caller
White Cockatoo	Forests, woodlands	Pure white crest
White-crested Helmetshrike	Savanna woodlands	Spiky white crest
White-crested Laughingthrush	Forests, shrublands	Bushy crest, chatty flock
White-crowned Sparrow	Shrublands, forests	Bold white crown
White-throated Sparrow	Forests, thickets	Striped crest, woodland singer
Yellow-crowned Night Heron	Marshes, mangroves	Yellow crest, night stalker
Yellow-crown Warbler	Forests, woodlands	Subtle yellow crest

Physical Description and Appearance

Size and Length

Crested birds come in an impressive range of sizes. The petite ruby-crowned kinglet measures just 9-11 cm in length, while the majestic harpy eagle stretches up to 1 meter. Species like the great blue heron boast wingspans exceeding 6 feet, making their crests even more prominent against their large frames.

Weight

Crested birds’ weights vary as much as their sizes. A northern cardinal weighs around 42-48 grams, whereas a heavier species like the Dalmatian pelican can tip the scales at 15 kg. The crest often adds a subtle but noticeable flair without significantly impacting their weight.

Body and Coloration

Crested birds dazzle with diverse body shapes and colors. The golden pheasant flaunts iridescent gold and red hues, with a crest that complements its vivid plumage. In contrast, the tufted puffin sports a sleek black-and-white coat, its crest adding a playful tuft during breeding season. Whether it’s the muted gray of the tufted titmouse or the bold blue of the stellar’s jay, crests accentuate their striking appearances.

Where Are They Found?

Geographic Range

Crested birds span the globe, from the forests of North America to the savannas of Africa. The cedar waxwing thrives in Canada and the U.S., while the Himalayan monal graces the mountainous regions of Asia. Species like the red-crested turaco call sub-Saharan Africa home, and the crested caracara roams South and Central America.

Specific Habitats by Region

Crested birds’ habitats are as varied as their locations. The belted kingfisher prefers rivers and coastlines across North America, while the Guianan cock-of-the-rock nests in South American rainforests. In arid regions, the secretary bird strides across African grasslands, its crest swaying with each step.

Habitat

Preferred Environments

Crested birds adapt to a variety of ecosystems. The great crested flycatcher favors deciduous forests, while the demoiselle crane opts for wetlands and grasslands. Coastal species like the royal tern thrive near oceans, and the tufted duck dives into freshwater lakes.

Seasonal Habitat Changes

Many crested birds adjust their habitats with the seasons. The Bohemian waxwing migrates to northern forests in summer for breeding, then heads south in winter. Similarly, the greater crested tern shifts between coastal breeding colonies and open seas depending on the time of year.

How Long Do They Live?

Lifespan in the Wild

In the wild, crested birds’ lifespans vary widely. A northern lapwing may live 5-10 years, while a hardy grey-crowned crane can reach 20 years or more. Environmental challenges often limit their longevity.

Lifespan in Captivity

In captivity, crested birds often live longer. Cockatiels can reach up to 25 years with proper care, and Major Mitchell’s cockatoos have been known to exceed 40 years in zoos, thanks to protection from predators and disease.

Factors Affecting Longevity

Predation, habitat loss, and food availability play key roles in crested birds’ survival. Species with strong defenses, like the crested partridge, fare better, while climate shifts threaten others, such as the yellow-crowned night heron.

What Do They Eat?

Diet of Adults

Adult crested birds have diverse diets. The pileated woodpecker feasts on insects and carpenter ants, while the crested auklet dines on plankton and small fish. Fruit lovers like the green turaco savor berries and figs.

Diet of Juveniles

Young crested birds often start with softer fare. Juvenile cockatiels rely on regurgitated seeds from their parents, while baby great blue herons eat fish delivered by adults until they can hunt on their own.

Feeding Behavior

Crested birds’ feeding styles vary. The belted kingfisher dives headfirst into water for prey, while the Indian roller swoops from perches to snatch insects mid-flight. Social feeders, like white-crowned sparrows, forage in flocks.

Behavior

Daily Activity Patterns

Most crested birds are diurnal, active during daylight. The black-crested titmouse flits through trees at dawn, while the great curassow rests at night in forest canopies. Some, like the yellow-crowned night heron, prefer nocturnal hunting.

Social Interactions

Crested birds‘ social habits differ. The palm cockatoo is solitary unless mating, while white-crested laughingthrushes chatter in noisy flocks. Crests often play a role in signaling during these interactions.

Defensive Behaviors

When threatened, crested birds react uniquely. The red-legged seriema stomps and hisses, while the ruffed grouse puffs its crest and fans its tail to appear larger, deterring predators.

Predators

Natural Enemies

Predators target crested birds of all sizes. Hawks snatch smaller species like the tufted flycatcher, while larger ones like the harpy eagle face threats from jaguars or humans encroaching on their habitats.

Defense Mechanisms

Crested birds’ crests aid survival. The hooded merganser’s sleek crest helps it blend into the water, while the secretary bird uses its height and crest to intimidate snakes and small mammals.

Adaptations

Physical Adaptations

Crests serve practical purposes. The double-crested cormorant’s feathers repel water, aiding diving, while the kagu’s crest enhances its cryptic forest camouflage.

Behavioral Adaptations

Crested birds are behaviorally clever. The blue jay mimics hawk calls to scare rivals, and the crested barbet uses its crest to signal territory boundaries.

How Do They Reproduce?

Mating Season

Crested birds’ breeding times vary. The Indian peafowl struts in spring, while the royal flycatcher, a crested bird, displays its crest year-round in tropical climates.

Courtship Behavior

Crested birds’ courtship is a spectacle. The male golden pheasant fans its crest and tail, and the Guianan cock-of-the-rock performs vibrant dances at communal leks.

Egg Laying and Fertilization

Crested birds’ clutch sizes differ. The tufted puffin lays one egg in burrows, while the California quail produces up to 16 in grassy nests.

Life Cycle

Egg Stage

Crested birds’ eggs hatch in weeks—10 days for a quail, 30 for a turaco. Crested parents guard them fiercely.

Tadpole Stage

Crested birds’ egg incubation periods vary. (Applicable only to some species’ relatives; skipped here as it’s not typical for birds.)

Juvenile to Adult Transition

Fledglings mature quickly. A crested duckling grows adult plumage in months, while a Victoria crowned pigeon takes a year.

Conservation

Conservation Status

Some crested birds, like the white cockatoo, are vulnerable due to trade. Others, like the great blue turaco, remain stable.

Threats to the Population

Habitat loss, hunting, and climate change loom large. The Himalayan monal suffers from deforestation.

Conservation Efforts

Reserves protect species like the Schalow’s turaco, while breeding programs aid the pink cockatoo.

Interesting Facts

• Crested birds like the sulphur-crested cockatoo can mimic human speech.
• Crested birds such as the ruby-crowned kinglet have a crest that hides until they sing.
• The crested bird like the caracara scavenges like a vulture despite its falcon roots.