Nature is full of unusual and downright bizarre animals – and sometimes, you don’t have to journey to the oceans’ depths or the most isolated jungles to find them.

If you’re not already familiar with the ayam cemani, you’re going to do a double take. Pictures of these beautiful, glossy black chickens certainly look like products of Photoshop, but they’re genuine. The breed originated in Indonesia, on the island of Java, and they are completely black — completely.

The ayam cemani have black bones, black muscle tissue, black organs, black feathers, black eyes, black tongues and black beaks. The only part of them that is not black is their blood, which is still much darker than the typical chicken’s. Their breed name keeps it simple: Ayam means chicken, and cemani means “completely black.”

So what makes this chicken breed look this way? Ayam cemani carries a genetic trait called fibromelanosis, which translates into black pigmentation. However, their eggs are not black. The shells of their eggs are white, or white with a slightly pinkish tint.

Some ayam cemani sell for more than US$2,000 – though most can be had for much less than that, and you can probably find them in your local supermarket, especially during festive seasons like Chinese New Year (they’re regarded as a delicacy (but of course) and are thought to offer numerous health benefits).

But try to encounter one without the intention of eating it (it’ll be a much more rewarding experience. You can always feed your need for chicken at KFC).