Aisse Gaertner’s photo appears to show two birds conjoined at head

  • Aisse Gaertner, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, took the photos in the Reserva Ecologia de Guapiaco last October
  • The darker feathers at the back of the two ducks’ heads made it look like their heads were joined together 
  • According to the photographer, the birds were part of a huge flock enjoying the water in the national park 
  • The white-faced and black-bellied whistling ducks are known for their amazing distinctive coloured feathers

This bizarre optical illusion appears to show two birds conjoined at the head as they paddle along.

Brazilian Photographer Aisse Gaertner, from Rio de Janeiro, snapped the remarkable photo in Brazil’s Reserva Ecologia de Guapiaco (REGUA) last October.

It shows the two white-faced whistling ducks appearing to blend into one as they glide past one another on the surface of the water.

The ducks’ distinctive markings make their faces stand out while the backs of their heads, covered in black feathers morph them together.

The animals were part of a raft of white-faced and black-bellied whistling ducks relaxing on a stretch of water in  the conservation area in the Atlantic Forest on South America’s east coast.   

Which way are you going? The white-faced and black-bellied whistling ducks appeared to merge into one as they paddled along on the surface of a pond

Aisse said: ‘It was a great day. We went to REGUA after lunch because it is a hot spot for bird watching.

‘As soon as I saw the two ducks going to pass near each other I got down on my knees to get a perspective from the water line and then just prayed.

‘I got lucky and they did swim right past each other.

‘The photo gives a very strange view. It’s almost like a natural mirror that turns the ducks into a strange two-headed animal, like the Roman god Janus.

‘People have told me it’s the best photo I have taken so far.

‘I’ve been a wildlife photographer for 10 years now and birds are my absolute favourites.’ 

As the birds swam past one another it was clear to see the original picture was just an illusion caused by their unique feathers

As the birds swam past one another it was clear to see the original picture was just an illusion caused by their unique feathers

The ducks were part of a massive flock of birds relaxing on the lake at the Reserva Ecologia de Guapiaco last year

The ducks were part of a massive flock of birds relaxing on the lake at the Reserva Ecologia de Guapiaco last year

The birdwatching and conservation area in the Atlantic Forest on South Americaís east coast is known for its remarkable wildlife

The birdwatching and conservation area in the Atlantic Forest on South Americaís east coast is known for its remarkable wildlife

Brazilian Photographer Aisse Gaertner, from Rio de Janeiro snapped the photo while out birdwatching in the national park

Brazilian Photographer Aisse Gaertner, from Rio de Janeiro snapped the photo while out birdwatching in the national park

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