Dinosaur Looking Birds

Modern-day birds are generally accepted to have evolved from dinosaurs. And there are many species that even today still have a prehistoric appearance. So here are some of the most dinosaur-looking birds on the planet.

Stellar’s Sea Eagle

With their sharp talons and hooked beaks, eagles are known for looking like prehistoric predators. However, the Stellar’s sea eagle brings this to a whole other level. It is the largest of all eagle species. This enormous bird is also the heaviest eagle and has the biggest beak which gives it a very intimidating look.

Chicken

You don’t have to look very far in order to find birds that look like dinosaurs. In fact, the chicken, which is one of the most common birds in the world, not only looks raptor-like but has close links to the Tyrannosaurus rex. Recent studies have shown that the chicken and ostrich are the T-rex’s closest living relatives.

Shoebill

The shoebill is a large stork-like bird with a huge bill. They can reach heights close to five feet tall and are both silent and patient hunters. These scary-looking birds use their distinct bill to help them catch their prey, which sometimes includes baby crocodiles, as they slowly wade through the water.

Cassowary

The cassowary is a giant bird that looks like a dinosaur in more ways than one. In addition to its dino-like size, it has a helmet-like casque on its head. The cassowary also has long and potentially deadly claws on its feet which it uses to kick potential threats. For this reason, it is considered the most dangerous bird on the planet.

Great Blue Heron

Most backyard pond owners are very familiar with this tall predatory bird. Despite its beauty, it is well-known for its ability to quickly clean out an entire pond of the majority of its fish. The great blue heron typically catches its prey by impaling it on its sharp bill and then swallows it whole.

Bearded Vulture

The bearded vulture is often compared to a living and flying dragon. And with a wingspan that can reach over nine feet in width it without a doubt looks like a relic from another time. Unlike other vulture species, the majority of its diet is made up of bones.

Helmeted Hornbill

The helmeted hornbill is named for the helmet-like casque on its head. Male birds use this “helmet,” to fight each other but it also adds to their dinosaur-like appearance. And so does the greenish-blue wrinkly patch of bare skin on their throat.

Ostrich

The ostrich is the largest bird in the world. It can reach heights of over nine feet tall. With its long neck and legs, it looks very dinosaur-like indeed. And amazingly this flightless bird can actually run faster than a horse. Like the chicken, it has recently been proven to be one of the closest relatives of the Tyrannosaurus rex.

Great Cormorant

The great cormorant is a bird that looks like a pterodactyl. This seabird has a long beak and proportions that look similar to a flying dinosaur. The scale-like appearance of its plumage helps to make the fish-eating great cormorant seem even more prehistoric.

Secretary Bird

While these dinosaur-looking birds can fly, they spend most of their time on the ground where they hunt for food. Secretary birds stalk their prey (mainly small animals) in pairs. They have a unique appearance that makes them instantly recognizable. They have a head and body that are very similar to an eagle but legs that are thin and crane-like legs.

Start Shopping for Birding Supplies!