She Thought She Spotted a Happy Baby Bird in the Forest—Then Looked Closer and Couldn’t Stop Laughing

Nature has a funny way of playing tricks on us—and that’s part of what makes exploring the outdoors so magical. For Australian nature enthusiast Kym Beechey, a quiet walk through the forest is more than just a peaceful pastime; it’s a chance to soak in the wonder of the wild, one breathtaking moment at a time.

But during one recent stroll, Kym got more than she bargained for.

Ambling through the forest, she spotted what looked like a small, cheerful tawny frogmouth perched among the trees. These birds, often mistaken for owls, are known for their wide-eyed, expressive faces—and Kym, thrilled by the sighting, quickly snapped a photo.

Then she zoomed in.

The “baby bird” wasn’t a bird at all—it was a banksia pod.

Banksia pods are bizarre, beautiful seed cones that grow on banksia trees, native to Australia. With their rough texture and quirky openings, they can easily be mistaken for something else… like a fuzzy baby bird. In fact, these pods are so unique that they only release their seeds after exposure to intense heat—like that from a wildfire.

Kym couldn’t stop laughing at the case of mistaken identity and shared the hilarious moment online. Nature fooled her—and probably would’ve fooled most of us, too.

So, what do you think—would you have fallen for the illusion? One thing’s for sure: Mother Nature sure knows how to keep us guessing.