You might have noticed that male birds are more colorful when compared to females because they exhibit a diverse range of display dimorphism to attract mates during the breeding season. However, female birds also look brilliant and have colorful patterns and feathers to display.
Let’s get to know about 24 beautiful exotic birds found around the world.
25 Birds with Incredible and Beautiful Colors
You might encounter birds on your window sill every day, but do you know whether they are part of the list of the 25 most beautiful birds found across the world?
If you are a bird watcher, then this guide is going to be interesting.
1. Red-Necked Tanager
Red-Necked Tanagers are one of the endangered species of bird and are found in South America. They have red neck and yellow-orange combinations of wings. The chin also appears red and the head and neck turn to be deep blue. These 13 cm birds have a green underside and turquoise line around the eyes. However, these songbirds have duller females having mottled black back when compared to the males.
2. Nicobar Pigeon
The Nicobar Pigeon is a 16-inch-long bird found throughout the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India and is one of the most colorful birds you can see. These birds have a mane that is feather-like, having a metallic blue-green color. They also show coppery reflection and the males can be distinguished by a black knob at the base of the tail. Their head and neck are gray and the predominant colors are red, green, and blue. The legs are dull red and have a bronze shiny appearance.
3. Blue Jay
Blue Jay birds are mostly found in North America and often in the central and eastern parts of the country. These 10-inch birds are known for their distinctive blue and white combination. They have pale pink plumage with white rump and black tails. The feathers are set in panels and are electric blue in color. They have a pale crown and black facial markings with black bills. Here both males and females have the same color with a dark scarf around the neck. However, the male birds are larger than females in size which is a distinguishing characteristic.
4. Golden Pheasant
Golden Pheasant males have a golden yellow crest and the entire body is red. These birds are found in the western mountains of China and they are also known as rainbow pheasant. The female birds are darker in color and they can also be found in the UK. The striking colors in the males help to easily distinguish them from the females. They have a long barred tail and the males have a green upper back with yellow eyes. On the contrary, the females show pale and brown plumage.
5. Mandarin Duck
Mandarin Ducks are found in the eastern provinces of China and Russia and have a diverse range of colors which is an eye-catching sight. They have a red bill with purple breast and black crest. The wings have green, blue, and copper colors with golden and orange shades. The cheeks have orange plumes. They also have orange sails on the back, but the females have smaller crests and eye rings with a white belly. The male ducks have a red bill whereas the females have a brown.
6. Peacock
Peacocks show a wide spectrum of colors across their body and are found across the subcontinent of India. You can find them in indigo, congo, and green variants. The iridescent tail color of blue and green makes their sight irresistible. The female species are a little smaller and brown or gray in color without any colorful plumage. On the contrary, the males have contrasting colors of coral orange, mustard yellow, and pale lavender. There is also a sheer touch of elegance and soft pastel pink and different hues make these birds one of a kind.
7. Scarlet Macaw
Scarlet Macaws are found in different sizes and shapes but what makes them distinct from other macaws is their striking color. They live in the tropical evergreen woods of Central and South America. You can find a blue back with bright crimson wings. The upper part of the wing is yellow and monarchs are green-bordered. These birds have colors throughout the body which form a band including red, yellow, and blue hues.
8. Bluebird of Paradise
Bluebird of Paradise are counted among the most beautiful birds across the globe and the males can be easily distinguished from the females due to color differences. The males have bright blue tails, with a black head and mantle and a white eye ring with an ivory bill. It also has reddish-brown feathers and a long flowy tail. The central feathers appear like narrow ribbons and have expanded ends. On the contrary, the females are black in color from head to rear or have chestnut brown bodies.
9. Flamingo
Flamingos are also known as wading birds and have striking red-purple plumage. They are spread across the world and you can find six different species, except in Antarctica. They are born white and later the feathers change color as they mature. The adult birds are hot pink and often the color ranges from light brown to pale pink to orange.
10. Blue Crowned Pigeon
Blue Crowned Pigeons are also known as the Western crowned pigeon due to their blue crests. It is one of the most beautiful birds in the West with deep blue feathers surrounding the eyes and a red iris. They have overall blue-gray plumage and the shoulders have a striking white patch. Across the back, marron bands are found and the color ranges from dark blue to light blue.
11. Keel-billed Toucan
Keel-billed Toucan is known for their incredible break color. The beak is 20 cm long and has a rainbow-like color with a combination of green red and yellow. They are also known as Rainbow Billed Toucan and have an enormous head. Its tails have red and white feathers with green color around the eyes. It has a yellow face and throat with blue legs. These birds have black plumage and the red tip at the beak makes it an incredible sight.
12. Red Crested Turaco
Red Crested Turaco are counted among the endangered species and are found in Africa. They have a remarkable red crest. The 20-inch birds have white faces and the body is green with bright red and blue feathers at the back. These medium-sized birds exhibit blue, green, and purple colors with red eyes and yellowish-green beaks.
13. Atlantic Puffin
These small Atlantic Puffin birds are found in the Northern US and eastern Canadian coasts. They have a large multi-coloured beak and due to their penguin-like color, these are also known as sea parrots. Their feathers are water resistant and keep them warm. These birds are black on the upper side and white below. They have an orange black and yellow combination of bills with a red orbital ring. The irises are brown to dark blue in color which is a spectacular view to watch.
14. Horned Sungem
Horned Sungem are found in the South American rainforest and are also known as Horned Sungem. These birds have two feathers carefully arranged on the head which creates an impression of the horns. But, only the males have these dazzling horns of red, blue, and golden hues and also appear to be more colorful when compared to females.
15. Azure Kingfisher
Azure Kingfishers are medium-sized birds and are also known as Blue Azure Kingfishers. They have a deep blue colored feather on the back and a white large buff spot at the side of the throat and neck. You would find rufous buff on the breast along with blue and violet streaks on the flanks. The feet are red and the males distinctively have brighter blue hues than females.
16. Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl has gained popularity after its appearance in the Harry Potter sequel. They are quite a rare species and are usually found in North America and Eurasia with yellow eyes. The male birds are completely white in color while the females have a few black feathers. When young the males have a paler look but as they mature the birds turn whiter. Also, some of the female snowy owls have a salt-pepper look.
17. Cockatoo
Cockatoo are identified by their bent beak and crest and found around the tropical rainforest of Indonesia. They are mainly of three colors – white, gray, and black, and these 30 to 62 m length birds can be seen to have salmon color with rose breast and pink chest. The feathers are gray and pink and the crest has patches of yellow, pink, and red which have a semicircular shape.
18. Painted Bunting
Painted Bunting are found in Southern North America and during the winter they travel to Central America and the Caribbean. The male has red breasts and green back, while their head and wings are of dark blue shade. The females, on the contrary, have green on the upper side and buffy underside. The color combination appears as if they have flown straight out of a children’s color book.
19. Gouldian Finch
Gouldian Finch is also known as Rainbow Finch due to its remarkable color combination. These are found in Australia and have a combination of black, yellow, green, and red hues. When compared to males, the females appear to be less bright. The major difference is that the males have purple chests and the females have a lighter mauve shade. You can also find silver, white, and lilac shades of color.
20. Bohemian Waxwing
These medium-sized Bohemian Waxwing birds are known for their distinct crest on the head. They appear to be wearing a black mask and have brownish-to-gray hues. The wings have white and yellow patches and are one of the most beautiful birds you can see across the world. They also have peach blush on the face and the wings have red wax-like tips which get deeper as the bird matures. The under tail appears rusty with a yellow-tipped tail. When younger, these birds appear to be overall gray in color with streaks in the belly.
21. Hyacinth Macaw
Hyacinth Macaws are mostly found in eastern and central South America. These 3 feet birds are predominantly deep cobalt blue in appearance, which appears to be rich and glossy. They have a golden ring around the eyes and on the lower mandible, a golden stripe. The tail feathers are gray and have a strong yellow-colored beak.
22. Paradise Tanager
Paradise Tanager is a riot or multi-colored and mostly found around South America. These species of bird have an apple-green head with a blue belly and yellow-red rump. The upper body is black and based on the subspecies the color of the rump varies. These songbirds have a black beak and gray legs.
23. Wood Duck
Wood Duck also has a vibrant color combination. The males have a distinguishing metallic purplish green on the head and crest, with a white belly and dark red breasts. Around the neck they have white stripes and their wings are patterned with blue and black. The females have a gray-brown breast with white speckles. The backside is brown to gray shades and the sides have a lighter shade. The bill has bright patterns of black and the legs have a dull straw yellow color with red iris.
24. Purple Gallinule
Purple Gallinules are known for their stunning features which have an array of colors. The adult birds are found to have purplish heads and greenish wings. The body and back have a color ranging from blue to green with a red bill having a yellow tip. The legs are bright yellow and the young ones have a blackish brown upper side and purple features on the chest. These birds are commonly known as yellow-legged gallinules with white facial shields.
25. Rainbow Lorikeet
Rainbow Lorikeets are found in Australia and have a vibrant color combination. These birds have a bright red beak and both males and females look alike. They have a blue head which can often appear to be mauve around the belly. The wings and tail are green and the breast appears to be orange and yellow. The underwing is red and from the side and the face has a vibrant ultraviolet blue, with a greenish-yellow nuchal collar.
Which Bird is Rare and Also the Most Beautiful?
The most rare or hard to spot bird is the Golden Pheasant which is also known for its stunning colors. It is one of the most beautiful birds found in Western China. The male birds are breathtaking in comparison to the females.
