10 Dumbest Birds on the Planet

Feb 12,2025

A flightless parrot from New Zealand that freezes when threatened, making it an easy target for predators.

Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus)

This flightless bird from Mauritius had no fear of humans, contributing to its rapid extinction.

Dodo (Raphus cucullatus) [Extinct]

Domestic turkeys are known for their lack of awareness; a myth suggests they can drown by staring at the sky in the rain.

Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

These large birds panic easily and have been observed running in circles or getting stuck in fences.

Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

These seabirds often mistake plastic for food, leading to fatal poisoning or starvation.

Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis)

Despite their size and speed, they have a habit of running in random directions when frightened, sometimes into obstacles.

Ostrich (Struthio camelus)

This bird fakes an injury to lure predators away from its nest but sometimes forgets to return to its eggs.

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 

Known for stomping its prey to death, it sometimes miscalculates and ends up stomping the ground uselessly.

Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius)

Also called the "stinkbird," it has a poorly developed brain and struggles with basic coordination.

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

While fascinating, it often stands motionless for hours, sometimes missing prey that is right in front of it.

Shoebill Stork (Balaeniceps rex)