28 Birds with Mohawks (A to Z List with Pictures)

Examples of birds with mohawks include bare-faced go-away bird, cockatiel, crested duck, crested partridge, and dalmatian pelican.

When you think of birds, the first thing that comes to mind is usually their feathers. But what about when these feathers are styled into a mohawk? Though it’s not a common sight, there are some birds out there who rock this look.

Whether you’re a bird enthusiast or just looking to learn more about these unique birds, read on to learn more about birds with mohawks and what makes them so special over other birds.

Examples of Birds with Mohawks

1. Bare-Faced Go-Away Bird

The bare-faced go-away bird is a native of Africa and gets its name from its distinct call which sounds like “go away.” This bird is also known for its bare face, which is gray in color. It has a black crest that sticks up like a mohawk and is used to attract mates.

2. Cockatiel

The cockatiel is a small, parrot-like bird that originates from Australia. Cockatiels are known for their friendly nature and their ability to mimic human speech. They are also one of the most popular pet birds in the world.

While not all cockatiels have mohawks, it is a fairly common trait in the species. Cockatiels with mohawks typically have white or yellow feathers on their heads, with the rest of their body being a grayish color.

3. Crested Duck

The Crested Duck is a waterfowl that is found in South America. Though they are not the only bird to have a mohawk, they are one of the most well-known.

These ducks get their name from the crest of feathers on their heads, which can be raised or lowered at will. When the Crested Duck wants to show off its mohawk, it will likely puff up the feathers on its head to make them look even more prominent.

4. Crested Partridge

The crested partridge is a bird that is found in the mountainous regions of central Asia. These birds have a mohawk of black feathers that runs from the top of their head to the end of their tail.

5. Dalmatian Pelican

The Dalmatian Pelican is a large bird that can be found in parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Though their plumage is mostly white, they have black spots on their wings and back. But the most notable feature of this pelican is its mohawk-like crest.

This crest is made up of long, black feathers that stick up straight and are often compared to a mohawk haircut. The Dalmatian Pelican uses this crest for communication and to attract mates.

6. Eurasian Hoopoe

The Eurasian hoopoe is a bird that is found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Adults have a reddish-brown body with a white underside. Their wings are black with white bars. And their tail is black with a white tip.

But the most notable feature of this bird is its crest. The crest is black and stands upright when the bird is excited or alarmed.

7. Golden Pheasant

Though their mohawks are more often seen in captive birds, the wild population of golden pheasants also sports these interesting feathers. The male birds have bright red and gold plumage, while the females are usually a duller brown color. These birds are native to China and can be found in forests at high altitudes.

Related Article: Do Blue-eared Pheasant Looks Like Chicken?

8. Great Blue Turaco

The Great Blue Turaco is a large bird that is native to Africa. It has a body that is mostly blue and green with a long tail. The most notable feature of this bird is its mohawk, which is red, yellow, and blue.

9. Great Bowerbird

The Great Bowerbird is a species of bird found in Australia and Papua New Guinea. These birds are known for their elaborate bowers, which they build in order to attract mates. But that’s not the only thing that makes them stand out.

10. Great Curassow

The Great Curassow is a large bird that is found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. This bird has a black body with a white belly and a crest of feathers that stick up on its head, giving it a mohawk-like appearance.

The Great Curassow is a shy bird but can be seen feeding on fruits and insects in the trees.

11. Grey Crowned Crane

The Grey Crowned Crane is a tall bird, native to Africa. They are usually white with grey on their wings and have a red or orange patch on their heads. These birds get their name from the crown-like tuft of feathers on their head, which can sometimes resemble a mohawk.

Related Article: Do Grey Crowned Crane Have Crown?

12. Guianan Cock-Of-The-Rock

The Guianan cock-of-the-rock is a South American bird that is most notable for its striking mohawk. This mohawk is bright orange and extends from the top of the bird’s head all the way down its back. The rest of the bird’s body is covered in black feathers, making for quite a contrast.

While the male bird is the one with the most distinct mohawk, the females also have a small crest on their heads. These birds are found in the forests of South America and can sometimes be seen performing courtship dances to attract mates.

13. Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal is a North American bird that is well-known for its bright red feathers. Though both sexes of this species have red feathers, the males are brighter. In addition to their red feathers, they also have a black mask around their eyes.

14. Palm Cockatoo

The Palm Cockatoo is a large black parrot that is native to Australia and New Guinea. These birds are known for their red Mohawk-like crest and their ability to mimic human speech.

15. Philippine Eagle

The Philippine eagle is a massive bird of prey that can be found in the forests of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. This raptor has a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet and a body length of up to 3.5 feet.

16. Pileated Woodpecker

One of the most well-known birds with a mohawk is the Pileated Woodpecker. This bird is native to North America and is one of the largest woodpeckers in the world. The Pileated Woodpecker’s mohawk is black and white, and it also has a red crest on its head.

17. Purple-Crested Turaco

The purple-crested turaco is a brightly colored bird found in sub-Saharan Africa. As its name suggests, this bird has a prominent purple crest on its head. The rest of the bird’s plumage is mostly green with some blue and red accents.

18. Red-Crested Turaco

The red-crested turaco is a bird that is found in Africa. This bird has a mohawk of red feathers that start at the beak and go all the way back to the head. The rest of the body is a greenish-black color. These birds are known for their loud calls, which can be heard from up to a mile away.

19. Red-Whiskered Bulbul

A member of the Old World babbler family, the red-whiskered bulbul is a small songbird native to Asia. The most distinguishing feature of this bird is the red streaks on its cheeks, which are thought to resemble a mustache or “whiskers.”

Though their name might make them sound tough, these birds are actually quite gentle and make popular pets in many Asian countries.

20. Royal Flycatcher

The Royal Flycatcher is a small bird that is found in Central and South America. They are easily recognizable by their orange-red crest, which they often hold upright. This crest is used to attract mates and can also be raised when the bird is angry or excited.

21. Smew

The smew is a type of duck that is easily recognizable by its unusual plumage. The male smew has a black head and back, with a white belly and breast. But it’s the mohawk-like stripe of black feathers down the center of its head that really makes this bird stand out.

22. Striated Heron

The striated heron (Butorides striata) is a small to medium-sized heron. They are found in coastal regions of the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. As their name suggests, they have streaked plumage on their back and wings.

The mohawk on their head is more prominent in breeding males. These herons are silent but can make a loud squawk when alarmed.

23. Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo

The sulphur-crested cockatoo is a white bird with a yellow crest. As its name suggests, this cockatoo is found in Sulphur-crested areas including Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.

24. Tufted Titmouse

The tufted titmouse is a small songbird that is found in woodlands throughout the eastern United States. This bird gets its name from the small tuft of feathers on its head, which somewhat resembles a mohawk. The tufted titmouse is gray with white underparts and a black cap.

25. Victoria Crowned Pigeon

The Victoria crowned pigeon is a species of pigeon that is native to the forests of New Guinea. These birds are pretty big, with a body length of up to 24 inches. And their striking blue-gray plumage is accented by a beautiful crest of feathers on their head, which gives them a mohawk-like appearance.

Related Article: 27 Birds that Look Like Pigeons

26. Western Crowned Pigeon

The Western Crowned Pigeon is a species of pigeon that is native to the island of New Guinea. These birds are the largest species of pigeon, and they are also one of the most striking, thanks to their blue-grey plumage and bright red eyes.

But perhaps the most notable feature of the Western Crowned Pigeon is its mohawk-like crest of feathers.

Related Article: Do Afep Pigeon Look Like Dove?

27. White-Crested Helmetshrike

The White-crested Helmetshrike is a bird found in Africa. Their most distinguishing feature is their white crest which, you guessed it, sticks up like a mohawk. These birds are also known to have black and white plumage.

28. Wood Duck

The Wood Duck is one of the most popular birds with a mohawk. Their distinctive plumage is often described as looking like a painted duck. The colors on their heads can range from red to green, and they have white stripes running down the sides of their necks.

Conclusion

Birds with mohawks use these feathers for communication, mating, or intimidation. While not all of the birds mentioned in the article have mohawks, they are all known for their unique head plumage.

Garreth

Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.