Siamese Fireback – National Bird of Thailand

The striking male Siamese fireback is most notable for its unusually long crest of purple-black feathers, which reaches up to 9 cm in length and becomes erect when the bird is excited. The breast, neck and upper back are mostly grey with very fine vermiculations, and the belly and head are black with the head decorated with large scarlet-red facial wattles. The name ‘fireback’ refers to the yellow plumage in the middle of the back, a feature shared with other firebacks.