No, the bird’s not wearing a wig 😂
At first glance, you might think this bird is sporting a wig or perhaps has just had its feathers permed. However, this is actually a curl-crested aracari, a species of toucan distinguished by its shiny, curly feathers on top of its head that resemble a hairdo.
Despite their distinctive, hair-like feathers, curl-crested aracaris share many traits with other toucan species. Native to Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru, they are social birds that nest in groups and primarily eat fruit.
So why the curls? Scientists believe these feathers serve multiple purposes, including regulating body temperature, deflecting predators, and attracting mates. The resemblance to human hair is a delightful coincidence, and people have had fun pointing out their amusing lookalikes.
“Lionel Richie, is that you?” one commenter quipped on Instagram.
Curl-crested aracaris are just one example of birds with human-like “hair.” For instance, gloster canaries are small yellow birds that resemble bowl cuts. Some commenters thought the curl-crested aracaris’ feathers looked more like cassette tapes or curled ribbons.
“Our guy unwound a bunch of cassette tapes and made a wig,” a commenter joked on X.
Regardless of what you think the bird’s head decoration resembles, it’s clear that curl-crested aracaris are captivating creatures.
“Oh my god, they made a sequel to toucans, love them,” another commenter enthused on X.