When we at the zoo on Saturday, I started thinking about how many weird birds there are around the world.

Let’s start with the obvious–birds that swim instead of fly. And not swim on top of the water like ducks and other birds like them, but swim underwater. Penguins are a prime example, as are the lesser-known puffins. When you think about it, they’re just really strange to watch. When they’re swimming, it almost looks like flying, and then you remember that these birds are underwater. And they’re fast! Very strange.

Then there’s the large birds, like the ostrich. It makes sense–the idea for Big Bird had to come from somewhere, right? Sure, they’re not eight feet tall, and they’re not bright yellow, but the concept is there–birds that aren’t really “bird-sized.” And again, they’re birds that can’t fly. Bizarre.

And there are birds that are so strange, I don’t even know how to categorize them. I’m talking about you, flamingoes. They, like ostriches, are tall, but so skinny. The color–beautiful, but hot pink is not your standard bird color. And can they even fly? Apparently they can, and I have to say, I’d really like to witness that–it must be quite a sight. And their legs bend the wrong way. Which is weird enough in itself, but then factor in the detail that they are often standing on only one of those legs. Even their name is strange–it seems that flamingos and flamingoes are both acceptable spellings. Weird.

Yep, there’s a lot of weird birds out there. It just goes to show that God likes unique and oddly beautiful things!