Determining the number one bird in the world is no easy task. With over 10,000 different species of birds inhabiting every corner of the globe, there are many contenders for the top spot. Some factors to consider when crowning the number one bird include popularity, cultural significance, intelligence, uniqueness, conservation status, and overall awe factor. While subjectivity will always play a role, looking at certain key criteria can help identify the world’s most premier bird.
Most Popular Bird Species
If judging by sheer numbers, the domestic chicken would likely take the crown as the number one bird. As of 2011, there were around 19 billion chickens being raised as livestock worldwide. That’s over 3 chickens for every human on the planet! No other bird comes close in terms of global population. The ubiquity of chickens makes them an important source of food and economic livelihood for people across cultures.
However, as a domesticated animal, the common chicken does not have the same wild allure as species living freely in nature. So setting aside poultry, which avian species have captured hearts and minds across countries and continents?
| Bird | Estimated Global Population |
|---|---|
| Red-billed Quelea | 1.5 billion |
| European Starling | 100-200 million |
| House Sparrow | 100-350 million |
In terms of global wild bird population, no species compares to the red-billed quelea. This small weaver bird inhabits sub-Saharan Africa in massive migratory flocks. Though abundant, the quelea is not widely recognized or celebrated around the world.
The European starling and house sparrow have both been successfully introduced around the globe by humans. Their adaptability to cities and agricultural areas has allowed them to thrive. These medium sized songbirds are familiar sights in backyards and public spaces in Europe, North America, Australia, and beyond. However, being so commonplace tends to diminish their prestige.
Most Culturally Significant Birds
Some birds stand out not for their global numbers, but for their symbolic value and cultural legacy. These special species have shown up prominently in art, literature, religion, and mythology across human societies.
For example, eagles are revered in many cultures as symbols of spiritual guidance, leadership, courage, and power. The bald eagle is the national emblem of the United States, appearing on currency, government seals, and in political iconography.
Owls have been associated with wisdom, intuition, and foresight since the times of Ancient Greece when the Little Owl was the companion bird to the goddess Athena. In many Native American tribes, the owl is respected as a spiritual figure and messenger.
Another bird rich in symbolic meaning is the raven, famously depicted in myths and folklore as a cunning trickster. In some Indigenous cultures, Raven is credited with helping shape the natural world or releasing the sun, moon, and stars into the sky.
Smartest Bird Species
When considering the attributes that would make a bird number one, intelligence must be factored in. Studies of avian cognition have revealed some species with exceptionally advanced mental talents.
The smartest birds tend to be large-brained parrots and corvids. African grey parrots have demonstrated language comprehension on par with a 3-5 year old human child. Some individuals have vocabularies of over 100 words. Studies also show they can solve complex puzzles and understand concepts like colors and shapes.
Among corvids, crows and ravens stand out for their social intelligence, ability to use tools, and long-term memory. They can remember human faces, problem solve, and even manipulate behavior in other birds. Wild New Caledonian crows construct elaborate tools from twigs to fish for insects, a skill unmatched in the avian world.
Analyzing brain architecture and running experiments, researchers found pigeons also have remarkable intellectual abilities on visual discrimination, categorization, and multitasking tests.
Most Unique Birds
There are some birds that stand out as truly one-of-a-kind. These species have evolved eccentric traits and behaviors not found anywhere else in nature. Their uniqueness helps them earn distinction as world-class birds.
The penguin is literally the only bird that swims instead of flies, having evolved as skilled divers and fishers in the ocean. There are 17-20 penguin species, most restricted to the Southern Hemisphere.
Many birds have elaborate plumage used for mating displays, but none so magnificent as the peacock. Peacocks grow vivid tail feathers featuring iridescent eyespots and long streaming ends, fanned out in courtship rituals. Males can have a 6 foot long train of feathers behind them.
The palm cockatoo and umbrella cockatoo are known for their artistic self-grooming abilities. They use their beaks to clean and sculpt their feathers into wild hair-like crests. Some have even been witnessed drumming beats with sticks, an extremely rare ability in the animal kingdom.
The Egyptian plover is famous for its symbiotic relationship with crocodiles. It picks parasites from crocodile teeth and gums, benefiting both species. This interspecies cooperation is unique in the avian world.
The mysterious superb lyrebird has mastered mimicry far beyond other birds. It can imitate chainsaws, car alarms, camera shutters, and other complex artificial sounds with astounding accuracy. Lyrebirds use this talent in elaborate courtship displays.
Most Endangered Birds
When assessing premier birds, conservation status is an important consideration. Though not the happiest reason for distinction, endangered status indicates biological rarity and fragility. Those on the brink of extinction deserve recognition and protection.
Many of the world’s most threatened birds reside on oceanic islands that have suffered habitat loss and the introduction of invasive species.
The Brazilian Spix’s macaw, made famous in the movie Rio, has not been seen in the wild since 2000 due to forest destruction. Less than 100 exist in captivity.
The orange-bellied parrot migrates between southern Tasmania and mainland Australia. With only about 35 remaining, it is critically endangered.
Once reduced to just 13 birds in 1989, the Chatham island black robin made an amazing comeback through an intensive conservation program. Today about 250 exist thanks to this effort.
The California condor nearly went extinct in the 1980s until the last 22 birds were brought into captivity. Now about 300 fly in California, Arizona, and northern Mexico after successful reintroduction.
Birds with the Most Awe Factor
Determining the number one bird ultimately requires weighing species that inspire the most human awe and admiration for their dramatic qualities. These birds stir our imaginations and represent the pinnacle of avian splendor.
The wandering albatross has the largest wingspan of any living bird, stretching 11-12 feet. These graceful gliders spend most of their lives soaring majestic over the open ocean.
The massive harpy eagle reigns as the most powerful raptor in the world. They can swoop down and snatch large primates and sloths from canopy trees with 500 pounds of force per square inch.
The tiny hummingbird is the only bird that can fly straight up, down, backwards and upside down, making them acrobatic wonders. Their wings can beat a phenomenal 200 times per second.
The ostriches of Africa are the largest and fastest running birds on land. These flightless giants can sprint at 43 mph and weigh over 300 pounds.
Overall for wow factor, birds of paradise take the crown for their breathtaking plumage displays. Males flaunt exotic feather ornaments, pigments, and intricate tail wires in competitive courtship dances. Their beauty captivates nature enthusiasts worldwide.
Conclusion
After reviewing all these extraordinary bird species across various categories, a definitive overall number one does not cleanly emerge. From the ubiquitous chicken to the rare palm cockatoo, diverse avian species distinguish themselves in different ways as the planet’s premier birds. Perhaps the sheer diversity and uniqueness of the class Aves is what makes ranking birds so challenging. When all 10,000 species of our feathered friends are considered together, their total diversity emerges as the true wonder in the avian world.