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10 Weird Birds of Asia

May 15, 2025 by Kai Pflug 1 Comment

Here is a quote from a guy named Light Watkins on his Instagram:

Consider being called “weird” as a compliment. Because it means you’re getting that much closer to the real you. And it’s not that you have to try to be weird. Just keep being yourself, and they will think you’re weird.

A bit too woke and too positive for me – but nevertheless, here are 10 Asian bird species I find particularly weird, and which I particularly like.

Eurasian Wryneck: An Ant-eating Sock Puppet

Knobbed Hornbill: Looks more fake than most plastic birds

Lesser Adjutant: Exposing the parts of old men’s bodies that normally are never seen in public (and for good reason)

Eurasian Bittern: Pretensions of Invisibility

Moluccan Owlet-Nightjar: The Missing Muppet

Oriental Darter: Snake Impersonator

Painted Stork: Presumably spends its evenings playing guitar in a second-rate KISS cover band

Asian Openbill: This is what happens if you do not brush your teeth regularly

Eurasian Hoopoe: Should be a Punk Rock Icon

Great Thick-knee: Always tries to explain that it is not its knee that is thick but its leg joint, and that this leg joint is not that thick either, but nobody ever listens.

What is the weirdest bird in your birding locations?

Written by Kai Pflug
Kai has been living in Shanghai for 21 years. He only became interested in birds in China – so he is much more familiar with birds in China than with those in Germany. While he will only ever be an average birder, he aims to be a good bird photographer and has created a website with bird photos as proof. He hopes not too many clients of his consulting company read this blog, as they will doubt his dedication to providing consulting services related to China`s chemical industry. Whenever he wants to shock other birders, he tells them his (indoor) cats can distinguish several warblers by taste.