Birds come in a breathtaking number of shapes, sizes and colours, but some really make an extra effort to stand out from the crowd.

Whether it’s growing specialized beaks or making record-setting flights, birds find ways to make us more amazed every day.

That also includes birds that have evolved particularly striking tails. Whether extra long or just extra weird, these birds have something to show off.

• Animals & birds kissing and hugging
• 10 World’s most colourful tropical birds
• Beautiful handmade birds

A famous fashion photographer Thomas Lohr created an amazing series of images, called Birds, where he shows us some wonderful examples of their inimitable plumage.

In these close-up shots he captures a variety of colors, textures and forms of their unique feathers. It is very hard to recognize that we are looking at a bird in some of his photographs. “The initial idea behind the book was a study on textures and colours. What I wanted to do was to show the beauty of birds while approaching it from a different point of view”, says Thomas about his project.

• Most colorful birds in the world. Part 1
• Most colorful birds in the world. Part 2
• Intricate hand-cut paper art by Maude White