There are plenty of amazing, beautiful bird species out there. From tiny hummingbirds to flamboyant peacocks, awe at a beautiful bird isn’t uncommon for most people.
But when we picture beautiful birds, we don’t often consider poultry.
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I mean, I respect chickens, turkeys, and other farm birds, but I wouldn’t call them pretty.
At best, some hens are cute and a rooster might be considered a handsome bird.
At worst, you have turkeys.
Thanks to selective breeding that favors future eating, turkeys look like big-chested demons just waiting to knife you in your sleep.
But today I learned about the existence of *Onagadori*, a very special Japanese breed of chickens.
Onagadori roughly translates to “honorable fowl” and, I mean, look at it. The name is fitting for a bird with a tail like that.
Like, that’s some Rapunzel-level tail happening.
Please don’t try to climb the tail, though. I seriously doubt a dozen or so feathers are as strong as fantasy princess hair.
While most breeds of chickens regularly molt and regrow new feathers, *Onagadori* roosters keep the same tail feathers for their entire lives.
And those feathers never stop growing. So in the right conditions, a well-cared for Onagadori rooster can live to a ripe old age with the incredible tail to match.
Obviously, this isn’t the sort of chicken you breed for eating.
They are designated a Japanese Special Natural Treasure. The hens are poor egg layers too, producing only a couple dozen per year.
This means they are mostly bred as show birds and their overall population is low enough to be considered endangered.
The dozen or so breeders who focus on raising Onagadori do so out of love for the breed. Special roosts are made so that the tails can hang freely without damage and the feathers are cared for daily.
