![]() This bird is native to the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It’s a dramatic look for sure, and one that makes for nature’s perfect Halloween costume. But before you make a move to render aid, know that this is simply part of the bleeding heart dove’s look-blood-splattered-looking feathers offset with white feathers on the chest area. When you see a bleeding heart dove, your first thought might be, “Poor thing!” Yes, this bird looks like it took a bullet to the chest, with a prominent red circle of feathers featured squarely in the middle of its front side. The Bleeding Heart Dove Photo by David Clode on Unsplash The shoebill’s greeting sounds like machine-gun fire!īut is the shoebill a bird to fear? Thankfully, shoebills are docile with humans and show no threatening behavior. If the shoebill’s intimidating stare and creepy way of hunting its prey aren’t scary enough for you, its vocalization might send you ducking for cover. ![]() This bird’s hunting style is to perch on floating vegetation, then it patiently and slowly wades in the water to stalk its prey before launching a quick and violent strike. Shoebills prefer lungfish, tilapia, catfish, and other aquatic prey. Good thing you’re not on the shoebill’s menu. Imagine this bird staring you down in a swampy marsh at sundown! Add to this the fact that the shoebill has a tendency to stay perfectly still for long stretches at a time, making it seem almost statue-like. Throw in its massive size (between 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 feet in height!), and this long-legged bird that inhabits the large swamps between South Sudan to Zambia can certainly give one a fright. ![]() There’s no doubt that the shoebill stork ( Balaeniceps rex) can strike an intimidating stare. Olaf Oliviero Riemer, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons The Shoebill Stork A shoebill’s stare can certainly give you shivers. Halloween is just around the corner, so let’s scare up some fun with a look at birds people might find downright scary, and/or birds that naturally sport a spooky style.
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