Examples of birds with crests and tufted heads include bare-faced go-away birds, blue jay, cedar waxwing, crested caracara, and crested duck.
Birds with crests and tufted heads are some of the most visually stunning creatures in the animal kingdom. These features serve as important visual signals for communication and can be used to intimidate predators or rivals.
This blog post will take a closer look at some of the most notable birds with crests and tufted heads. We’ll discuss what makes these features so important to the birds and explore some of the different species that exhibit these traits.
Examples of Birds with Crests and Tufted Heads
1. Bare-Faced Go-Away Bird
| Scientific Name | Corythaixoides personatus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia |
The bare-faced go-away bird is a member of the genus Turdoides. The species is found in sub-Saharan Africa and gets its name from its loud call, which sounds like “go away!”
The bird is easily identifiable by its white head and black body. The bare-faced go-away bird uses its crest to intimidate predators and rivals. The bird will also lift its crest when it is excited or alarmed.
2. Blue Jay
| Scientific Name | Cyanocitta cristata |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | most of the eastern and central United States |
The Blue Jay is a North American songbird that is easily recognizable by its striking blue plumage. The bird also has a prominent crest on its head, which it can raise or lower depending on its mood. The crest is used to intimidate rivals and make the bird appear larger.
3. Cedar Waxwing
| Scientific Name | Bombycilla cedrorum |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | mostly in the northern half of the United States |
The Cedar Waxwing is a medium-sized songbird with a sleek body and long tail. The most distinguishing feature of this bird is its crest, which is black and pointy. The crest is used to communicate excitement or aggression. The Cedar Waxwing also has a tuft of feathers on its head, which gives it a slightly ruffled appearance.
4. Crested Caracara
| Scientific Name | Caracara cheriway |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | throughout south-central Florida, and also occurs in Texas, Arkansas, Mexico, Cuba, and Panama |
The Crested Caracara is a large bird of prey that is found in South America, Central America, and parts of the southern United States. The species gets its name from the crest of feathers on its head, which it can raise or lower at will.
5. Crested Duck
| Scientific Name | Anas platyrhynchos domesticus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | South America |
The crested duck is a waterfowl that is found in North and South America. The most notable feature of this duck is the large crest on its head. This crest is used to signal dominance and aggression. The crested duck also has a tufted head, which gives it a striking appearance.
6. Crested Partridge
| Scientific Name | Rollulus rouloul |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | lowland rainforests in south Burma, south Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo |
The crested partridge is a small bird that is found in woodlands across Asia. The most notable feature of this species is the large crest on its head, which is used to intimidate rivals and predators.
Related Article: Do Crested Partridge Have Crown?
7. Demoiselle Crane
| Scientific Name | Grus virgo |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | central Eurosiberia, ranging from the Black Sea to Mongolia and North-Eastern China |
The Demoiselle Crane is a small crane that is native to Central Asia. The bird gets its name from the French word for “young lady”, which is a reference to the elegant plumage of the female crane.
8. Eurasian Hoopoe
| Scientific Name | Upupa epops |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Europe, Asia, North Africa, and northern Sub-Saharan Africa |
The Eurasian hoopoe is a distinctive bird with a long, curved bill and a crest of feathers that can be raised or lowered at will. The crest is used to intimidate predators and rivals, and the Hoopoe will also use it as a visual signal during courtship displays.
9. Gold-Crowned Kinglet
| Scientific Name | Regulus satrapa |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | the mountains of Mexico and Guatemala |
These small birds are found in wooded areas of North America. They have distinctive gold crowns and white tufts on their heads. The gold crown is thought to be used as a visual signal to other kinglets during mating season.
10. Great Crested Flycatcher
| Scientific Name | Myiarchus crinitus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | southern Mexico and southward to South America |
The great crested flycatcher is a small songbird with a prominent crest. The crest is black in males and brown in females. This species is found in wooded areas across North America.
The great crested flycatcher uses its crest to communicate with other birds. The male will raise his crest when he sees a potential mate or when he is trying to intimidate other males. The crest is also used in visual displays during courtship.
11. Great Curassow
| Scientific Name | Crax rubra |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Mexico to Ecuador |
The Great Curassow is a large bird that is found in the forests of Central and South America. The male of the species has a black body with a white crest and tufted head. The female is brown with a white throat and crest. Both sexes have red eyes and long tails.
Read Also: Do Great Curassow Have Mohawks?
12. Grey Crowned Crane
| Scientific Name | Balearica regulorum |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | eastern and southern regions of Africa |
The Grey Crowned Crane is a large bird that is native to Africa. It gets its name from the distinctive grey crown that adorns its head. The crane is a symbol of good luck in many cultures and is known for its elegant dance movements.
13. Himalayan Monal
| Scientific Name | Lophophorus impejanus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | the Himalayan hill forest from Afghanistan and Pakistan through the Himalayas in India, Nepal, southern Tibet, and Bhutan |
The Himalayan monal is a striking bird that is found in the mountains of Nepal and Tibet. The male of the species is particularly notable for its colorful plumage, which includes a blue crest and tufted head.
14. Indian Peafowl
| Scientific Name | Pavo cristatus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | India and Sri Lanka, in South Asia |
The Indian peafowl is a species of pheasant that is native to the Indian subcontinent. The male bird is easily recognizable by its distinctive blue and green plumage, as well as its long tail feathers. The male also has a large crest on its head, which it uses to attract mates.
Related Article: 22 Birds that Look Like Peacocks
15. Northern Cardinal
| Scientific Name | Cardinalis cardinalis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | throughout the eastern United States and south into Mexico and Central America |
The Northern Cardinal is a North American songbird that is well-known for its red plumage. Males are particularly vibrant, with deep red feathers and a prominent red crest. Cardinals are monogamous birds, meaning they form long-term pair bonds with one mate.
16. Northern Lapwing
| Scientific Name | Vanellus vanellus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | most parts of the world except North America |
The Northern Lapwing is a wading bird that is found across Europe and Asia. This bird has a distinctive black crest that is used to intimidate predators. The black coloration of the crest also makes the Northern Lapwing more visible to other birds, which is important for social interactions.
17. Oak Titmouse
| Scientific Name | Baeolophus inornatus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | California, though it ranges north to Oregon and south to Baja California as well |
The Oak Titmouse is a small songbird that is found in woodlands across the western United States. The bird has a conspicuous tufted head, which gives it its name. The tufted head feathers are used to help keep the bird’s head warm in cold weather.
18. Palm Cockatoo
| Scientific Name | Probosciger aterrimus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | the Cape York Peninsula of northern Australia, the Aru Islands, Papua New Guinea, and other surrounding smaller islands |
The Palm Cockatoo is a large blackbird found in Australasia. The most notable feature of this bird is its bright red crest, which is used as a visual signal during courtship displays. The crest is also used to intimidate rivals and predators.
19. Pileated Woodpecker
| Scientific Name | Dryocopus pileatus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Canada and in western Washington all the way down to northern parts of California and most areas of the eastern United States |
The Pileated Woodpecker is a large bird with a distinctive black and white plumage. The most notable feature of this bird is its red crest, which is used to attract mates and intimidate rivals. The Pileated Woodpecker is native to North America and can be found in forests throughout the continent.
Read Also: Do Arizona Woodpecker Have Forked Tail?
20. Polish Chicken
| Scientific Name | Gallus gallus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | the Netherlands |
The Polish chicken is a breed of chicken that is known for its distinctive crest. The crest is made up of a mass of feathers that stand upright on the head. This breed of chicken is also known for its tufted head, which is a result of the extra feathers on the head.
21. Red-Crested Turaco
| Scientific Name | Tauraco erythrolophus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Angola |
The Red-Crested Turaco is a species of bird that is native to Africa. The bird is easily recognizable by its bright red crest and tufted head. The crest is used as a visual signal to intimidate predators or rivals. The tufted head feathers are also thought to help the bird stay cool in hot weather.
22. Red-Whiskered Bulbul
| Scientific Name | Pycnonotus jocosus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | tropical Asia |
The Red-whiskered Bulbul is a small songbird that is native to Asia. The bird gets its name from the distinctive red streaks on its cheeks. The Red-whiskered Bulbul has a black crest that it raises when it is excited or aggressive.
23. Rock Hopper Penguin
| Scientific Name | Eudyptes chrysocome |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Among the craggy, windswept shorelines of the islands north of Antarctica, from Chile to New Zealand |
The rockhopper penguin is a small species of penguin that is found in the southern parts of the world. These birds are easily recognizable by their black and white plumage, as well as their orange-tipped beaks. Rockhoppers also have prominent crests on their heads, which are used to signal aggression or excitement.
24. Ruby-Crowned Kinglet
| Scientific Name | Regulus calendula |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | far northern North America as well as the western mountains |
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a small songbird with a striking ruby-red crest. The crest is used primarily for territorial displays and can be raised or lowered depending on the bird’s mood.
25. Secretary Bird
| Scientific Name | Sagittarius serpentarius |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | sub-Saharan Africa |
The Secretary Bird is a large bird of prey that is native to Africa. The bird gets its name from its crest, which resembles the quill of a feather-duster. The crest is used to intimidate predators and rivals.
26. Silver Pheasant
| Scientific Name | Lophura nycthemera |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | mainland Southeast Asia |
The silver pheasant is a species of bird that is native to parts of China and Southeast Asia. The male silver pheasant is particularly notable for its spectacular plumage, which includes a long, silvery-blue tail and a vivid red crest.
Related Article: Do Copper Pheasant Looks Like Chicken?
27. Steller’s Jay
| Scientific Name | Cyanocitta stelleri |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Pacific coast from southern California to Alaska |
The Steller’s Jay is a striking blue bird with a black crest and tufted head. These features help the bird to stand out in its forest habitat. The crest is used as a visual signal for communication, while the tufted head provides insulation against the cold.
28. Tufted Titmouse
| Scientific Name | Baeolophus bicolor |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | southern Quebec and Ontario |
The Tufted Titmouse is a small songbird that is found in woodlands across North America. The bird gets its name from its distinctive tuft of black feathers on its head.
29. Vermilion Flycatcher
| Scientific Name | Pyrocephalus obscurus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | American Southwest |
The Vermilion Flycatcher is a small songbird with a striking appearance. The male of the species is bright red with a black tail and wings. He also has a prominent black crest on his head. The female is more subdued in color but still has the black crest.
30. Victoria Crowned Pigeon
| Scientific Name | Goura victoria |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | New Guinea |
The Victoria crowned pigeon is a large, blue bird with an elaborate crest of feathers on its head. The crest is used in displays of courtship and aggression. The bird also has a prominent tuft of feathers on its nape, which is thought to play a role in visual communication.
Related Article: Do Common Wood Pigeon Look Like Dove?
31. White-Crested Helmetshrike
| Scientific Name | Prionops plumatus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau |
The White-crested Helmetshrike is a small songbird that is found in Africa. This bird gets its name from its conspicuous white crest, which is used to attract mates. The crest is also raised when the bird is alarmed or threatened.
Conclusion
Birds with crests or tufts of feathers on their heads often use these features to communicate dominance, aggression, or excitement. These distinctive features can be used to identify different species of birds and are a visual signal to predators and rivals that the bird is not afraid to fight.
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.