“A bird with a moustache? You’re kidding right?”
No, we are being deadly serious, meet the three-wattled bellbird, the bird with a moustache being compared to a Fu Mancho master.
The male sports a chestnut brown and white plumage as well as of course the black ‘moustache’.
The species are also recognized for their alien-like song, described as a ‘distinctive bell-like call mixed with strange alien noises.’
Only the male sports the ‘moustache’ which is actually wattle (a piece of flesh) and this unique bird has three of them which dangle down from its beak.
As with most bird species, the female is different which a more dull olive plumage and no wattle.
As mentioned, their song is very strange, it is very difficult to describe but a bell crossed with an alien is the most accurate we have heard!
They are known as the loudest birds in the world.
Native to the Central American region all the way from Western Panama to Eastern Honduras.
These birds prefer to breed at higher altitudes, courtship consists of the male shaking his wattles while singing.
In winter, they then migrate to the lowlands.
Their diet consists mainly of fruit.
Unfortunately, these stunning birds are listed as vulnerable due to loss of habitat caused by deforestation.
