Magic and Moonlit Wings

Birding in Spain: Bearded Vulture - Gypaete,  Didier Buysse - Didbird

this ‘rose gold’ northern cardinal has obvious abnormal coloration; it’s believed this is due to xanthochromism, or an overproduction of yellow pigmentation. it was photographed in the wild in michigan.

birds have truly mastered feathers like what do you Mean they can be shiny. how fucking cool is that

glossy ibis

european starling

greater blue eared starling

nicobar pigeon

purple martin

glowing puffleg

violet backed starling

+ special shoutout to rob garren and his purple poultry project. he is breeding his chickens to be very shiny and very purple

Gold eagle with garnets and enamel, France, circa 1640-1660

from The Louvre

[On a grey background is a bird made of gold and covered in red stones, wings unfurled and talons spread out. A pearl dangling from its large, fanning tail. The torso is a large inverted-teardrop garnet, with a much smaller amethyst (or maybe a purple garnet) in the same shape below it. 

The elongated neck makes it look more like a goose than an eagle. The bird wears a crown, and in one talon holds a sword, while the other talon holds the Holy Hand Grenade a royal orb, which is held by monarchs during coronations to represent the world. The royal orb is the one blue part of this piece. 

The wing and tail feathers are studded with garnets, and the head, ‘arms’ of the wings, and upper legs of the bird have silvery enamel on them etched to look like feathers.]

Everyone watch out, The Goose found a sword and the Holy Hand Grenade!

Merry Widow Hat

c.1918

Melbourne, Australia

National Gallery of Victoria

the red-tailed comet is a brightly colored south american hummingbird species. despite overall being a fairly small bird, they are one of the largest hummingbirds. they are the only member of the genus sappho, with two recognized subspecies. although the ‘train’ tail feathers of males are notably longer, the females’ colors are also vibrant. like other hummingbirds, they feed mainly on nectar and small insects.

Therizinosaurus for @uselessthimbs

I recently learned that the reason its common across all families of birds to have black or dark wingtips is due to the fact melanic keratin is stronger and more resistant to wear than light-colored keratin. The tip of the wing is crucial for flight and subject to a considerable amount of wear from abrasion and sun.

Here's a cool Sibley illustration of typical wear patterns in a Herring gull's fresh vs molted flight feather.

Great eared nightjar

this is a dragon

How is it possible for an animal to resemble a bird, a mammal, and a reptile simultaneously?

Those ARE great ears.

Kate MccGwire, Secrete (mixed media with magpie feathers)

Fans, first half of the 20th century.

these are gorgeous but also the victorians & edwardians committed so many bird crimes. crimes against birds. holy shit. @antiquesfreaks you guys did an episode about this, right?

Monster Boy Challenge: Day 1

*Harpy*

Made a Harpy man inspired by the Victorian crowned pigeon o uo ahhhhh

#2956. Quetzalwintercoatl - Word Play

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Day 29: Rustic

Friday blues: #wetcyanotypes #cyanotypes #feathers #fern #leaves #alternativephotography #cameralessphotography #alternativephotographicprocesses #elgin https://www.instagram.com/p/CD427YYH_6v/?igshid=1s8tb6kqbfme5

The curious dance moves of the Striped Cuckoo.

I’m sorry???? Excuse me sir???? You have hands and are a bird please explain

HE’S LITERALLY STICKING HIS THUMBS OUT. he’s all “who’s sexy and ready to breed? THIS GUY”

it’s part vogue, part jazz hands, part pop n lock keeping your head in one place and he’s fantastic!