The beauty of a garden lies in a variety of flowers that resemble some identifiable shapes, and it also displays the creativity placed in nature.
If you own a garden and thinking of an exotic plant to beautify your flora paradise, have you considered flowers that look like birds?
Not only are they unusual, but they would also attract real birds, and the idyllic vision of waking to a chirping melody can be your reality.
Flowers that look like birds include birds of paradise, the angel orchid, the parrot flower, the bat flower, and more.
This article looks at ten unique flowers shaped like birds that would change your garden and draw nature to you.
Are you ready?
Unique Flowers that Look Like Birds
1. Bat Flower
Botanical Name: Tacca chantrieri
The scientific name of the bat flower is the tacca chantrieri, which is part of the yam family known as Dioscoreaceae. It originated in India, China, Vietnam, and Thailand.
This is a large flower, which is unusual because the center looks like a face. The petals come out like ears and wings, and together with the center, the flower ends up looking like a bat.
The bat flower needs a lot of water and high humidity, with a shade of at least 60% as it is an understory plant.
The temperature should be warm with enough air circulation. It usually grows in time for Halloween, which is perfect for a Halloween-themed party!
2. White Egret Flower
Botanical Name: Pecteilis radiata
The white egret flower is also known as the fringed orchid or sagiso, and it can be found in China, Korea, Japan, and Russia.
The fringed orchid’s petals look like a sprawled fluffy wings of a white egret about to take off. It grows up to 12 inches tall, with flowers about 1.5 inches wide.
Growing this plant requires a lot of care and patience. The white egret flower has a long blooming season, which begins from September, through to January.
3. Bird of Paradise
Botanical Name: Strelitzia reginae
The bird of paradise is also known as the crane flower or the strelitzia, and it is a native of South Africa.
Similar to the bat flower, it looks like a bird in flight. The petals are positioned like raised wings.
The bird of paradise is colored orange, yellow, and blue/purple, and it is a perennial plant.
It grows to a height that falls between 1 and 3 meters, with leaves that are large, green with a leathery texture. There’s also a white stripe running down the center of the leaves.
The plant requires full sunlight, except in very hot areas where you should cover it with a partial shade.
It also needs regular watering during the first few months, as well as fertilizer.
4. Bird Head Orchid
Botanical Name: Phalaenopsis spp.
The bird head orchid is characterized as slender, beautiful, and delicate—the right kind of flower for a bouquet.
The name comes from the “head” of the flower, which looks like a bird sitting on a stem.
The bird head orchid can be found in Southeast Asia, specifically in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
It should be cultivated in warm temperatures and a humid environment.
5. Bird’s Mouth Orchid
Botanical Name: Orthoceras strictum
The bird’s mouth orchid grows from May to July and can be found in the Western region of the United States. It is colored white with a yellow throat and streaks of purple.
The bird’s mouth orchid is shaped like an actual bird’s beak, hence the name.
Besides the United States, you can also find the bird’s mouth orchid in other regions in North America, Asia, and Europe.
6. Flying Duck Orchid
Botanical Name: Caleana major
As the name goes, this orchid bears a strong resemblance to a flying duck, like it was sculpted with petals.
You can find it on the eastern side of Australia, and it is colored brown and white.
The flying duck orchid blooms from September to November, and its method of pollination is unusual.
This orchid releases a scent that draws in male sawflies. The sawflies then enter the flower, which closes up while the pollination occurs.
7. Green Birdflower
Botanical Name: Crotalaria cunninghamii
The green bird flower gets its name both from its color and shape.
Unlike the stereotypical yellow, white or red colors often associated with flowers, the green bird flower is colored green. The flower is also shaped like a bird’s head, hence the name.
It is known to have a long season, and its uniqueness makes for a delightful addition to your garden.
The scientific name of the green bird flower is Crotalaria cunninghamii, and the last word is after a botanist named Allan Cunningham.
8. Moth Orchid
Botanical Name: Phalaenopsis
The moth orchid looks more like a moth than an actual bird, but it makes this list because the image of a flying creature is still there.
Most of these orchids are white, but there are some pink and purple ones.
The moth orchid is native to Southeast Asia and can be found in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
9. Parrot Flower
Botanical Name: Impatiens psittacina
The parrot flower is shaped like a bird in a very realistic manner.
The petals and other parts of the flower make it look like a parrot, complete with the wings and beak.
It can be found in Asia and Africa, specifically in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Many garden owners love the parrot flower for its uniqueness and the ability to blossom in a tropical climate.
It is also known as a parrot balsam and was described as a “flying cockatoo.”
10. Dove Orchid
Botanical Name: Peristeria elata
The dove orchid is a rare and beautiful species native to Central America and can also be found in Ecuador and Venezuela.
The petals are colored white with traces of purple. Inside the petal resembles a beautiful dove descending from heaven. This is why it is also called the Holy Ghost Orchid, Holy Trinity Orchid, and Flower of the Holy Spirit.
The dove orchid’s flowers surface between late summer and early fall but the spikes take a while to mature.
Summary
Unique flowers come in different shapes and sizes.
In this article, we considered ten different flowers that look like birds, some more than others.
You could find a couple of these flowers and make your garden take on a different glow. That’s nature at your doorstep!
