27 of the Most Colorful Birds in the World

Last Updated on Mar 08 2024

The 27 Most Colorful Birds in the World

1. Nicobar Pigeon

The Nicobar Pigeon is considered to be the closest living relative to the now extinct Dodo Bird. They have beautiful long feathers around their necks that are different shades of green, yellow, and blue. Their bodies are typically dark green or greyish, and their legs have a reddish tone.

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2. Wilson’s Bird of Paradise

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These are small birds but they have big colors! The males have bald, blue heads, yellow mantles, wings of crimson, and bluish feet. Their underbellies are typically various shades of green. They sometimes have shades of red around the belly and tail. The females are not as vibrant. They have dull brown and reddish colorings.

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3. Golden Pheasant

Male Golden Pheasants are brightly colored with red undersides, yellow heads and backs, and golden-colored legs. The females typically only have gold and brown tones. These birds spend most of their time on the ground or in trees rather than flying. Their long tails help them navigate through rough terrains.

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4. Red-Necked Tanager

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As their name suggests, these birds have bright red necks that help them stand out from the crowd. Their bright green underbellies give way to dark grey or blue legs. Their heads are dark blue, and their wings are usually black, orange, and green. They have short tail feathers that match their undersides.

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5. Flamingo

Although Flamingos are born with soft, white feathers, their feathers gradually get replaced with vibrant, bright pink feathers that are larger in size. Many flamingos do maintain some white feathering that gives them a slightly marbled look. These omnivorous birds stand on long legs that are reminiscent of stilts.

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6. Spangled Cotinga

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These medium-sized birds have stout, compact bodies and brilliant baby blue feathers on the belly, back, and head. The bottoms of their necks are deep purple and their wings a darker blue with hints of the baby blue mixed in. They have large, round, alert eyes and short pointy beaks.

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7. Rainbow Lorikeet

These lively birds live in the rainforests and coastal areas of Australia. They are easy to spot due to the multiple bright colors on their feathers. Their heads are dark blue and their wings and bodies bright green. Some red, orange, and yellow feathering is almost always present.

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8. Mandarin Duck

These gorgeous ducks are so colorful and impressive that zoos and individuals keep them in captivity all over the world. Sadly, their numbers are dwindling in the wild. The Mandarin Duck has a wide variety of colors throughout its plumage, including green, blue, orange, red, brown, yellow, and even purple.

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9. Resplendent Quetzal

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Resplendent Quetzals only grow to be about 16 inches long when they are fully grown. However, their vibrantly colored plumage makes them stand out among the trees and bushes. They have bright green bodies ad even brighter red chests and bellies. When in the sunlight, their green feathers may look like they are brushed with hues of yellow cobalt and aqua colors.

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10. Keel-Billed Toucan

 

The body of a Keel-Billed Toucan is usually black, but the neck and the bill are interesting. This bird’s neck is typically light yellow. Their bill is usually bright green, red, and orange in color. The tip of the tail has small red feathers, and the feet are medium to dark blue.

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11. Scarlet Macaw

These colorful birds are commonly found in zoos and sanctuaries worldwide. In the wild, they can be found living in South and Central America. The Scarlet Macaw typically has a scarlet red head and yellow and blue feathers throughout its body. The tail feathers are almost always light blue. 

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12. Western Crowned Pigeon

The crests on these birds are what make them look unique. They look like they are wearing feathery headdresses. Their bodies are greyish blue with black and dark blue markings. Although their feathers are not bright or vibrant, they are unique and gorgeous.

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13. Painted Bunting

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These birds resemble the common finch but have different feather and plumage colors. Male Painted Buntings have blue heads, green and red wing feathers, and bright red undersides. The tips of their feathers are usually dark grey or brown. Females have full green bodies with yellow markings on the belly.

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14. Lady Gouldian Finch

 

These birds are extremely vibrant when it comes to color. Their heads are bright red and lime green. Their chests are a vibrant purple color. Their bellies are bright yellow. Their wings are green. Their backends happen to be baby blue. They look like they are covered in some sort of patchwork art that would be shown in a fine museum.

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15. Northern Cardinal

 

These little birds have super-long tails and short, thick bills. The males are bright red with black markings around their eyes and a little black feathering marbled into the red on their wings. The females better blend into the wild with dull green or brown feathers and little red markings throughout the body. They do have bright bills like the males do, though.

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16. Common Kingfisher

The Common Kingfisher has an impressively long bill, a short stubby body, and a short, stout tail. Males have bright blue heads and wings with golden bellies. Females also have golden bellies, but they typically have emerald-green heads and backs. Both males and females have white markings along the neck and small white dots on their heads and wings.

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17. Indian Peafowl

Commonly known as a Peacock, the Indian Peafowl is beautifully colored from head to toe. Their bodies have a gorgeous blue hue and their huge tail feathers have hues of green, aqua, blue, red, yellow, and black. Some have interesting black circle markings that people sometimes compare to eyes.

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18. Red-Bearded Bee-Eater

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These little birds love to spend their time in trees. They are expert branch perchers and singers. They have bold bodies full of green feathers, bright red faces, and extremely long black bills. Their foreheads usually have bright pink markings. Their green tail feathers are long and bushy, giving them a fuller and bigger look.

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19. Curl-Crested Aracari

The huge bills on these birds make them look disproportionate. However, their stocky, colorful bodies set them apart from the crowd. They have bright green markings around their eyes, white specks of color on their heads, dark green wings, red bellies, and back markings, and yellow chest markings.

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20. Paradise Tanager

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This is a startlingly gorgeous bird with unique coloring patterns that won’t be found on other birds. Their base is black, but they have light blue chests and bellies, bright lime-green faces, and huge patches of red on their backs.

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21. Splendid Fairywren

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This is a small blue bird with a long tail. What makes it stand out are the different hues of blue displayed on the head, back, chest, and wings. Ranging from powder blue to midnight blue, every one of these birds has a unique pattern that cannot be found on other types of birds in the wild.

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22. Lilac-Breasted Roller

As their name suggests, Lilac-Breasted Rollers have lilac-red chests that brighten up their whole bodies. Their heads have white markings and their short bills are black. Their wings have aqua blue markings, and the areas right above their tails are usually black.

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23. American Purple Gallinule

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This is a medium-sized bird that can grow up to 24 inches in length when fully grown. The American Purple Gallinule’s beak is bright red at the base, and a prominent white mark is seen on their foreheads. Their heads and chests are royal blue, while their backs and wings are a mixture of green, orange, and yellow.

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24. Andean Cock-of-the-Rock

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These birds are striking in color and design. Their eyes look like they are far back in their heads because of their big lumpy bills. Their heads, necks, and chests are covered in bright red feathers. The bottom half of their bodies are covered in black feathers. They have amazing grey feathers on their back leading down to their tail feathers.

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25. Crimson Rosella

 

These birds are decorated with red heads and chests, light blue wing and tail feathers, dark blue markings, and black tail ends. Their white bills seem to have been designed in contrast to the rest of their bodies. These birds seem to sing gleefully while living in nature, but they are quite quiet when they are living in captivity.

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26. Red-Billed Blue Magpie

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While not bright in color, these birds display striking grey feathers on their backs and wings. Their extra-long tail feathers are light grey with white tips. Their heads are black, and their bills are bright orange, as are their legs and feet. Some white markings are typically displayed on their back feathers.

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27. Blue Jay

This bird’s pronounced crest is its most unique feature. The crest is usually smokey blue, as is the back. These birds have white markings around their eyes, white faces, and white bellies. Their tails are typically aqua blue and black. Their legs are blue too.

Conclusion 

There is a multitude of beautiful birds in existence and many that are no longer with us. Every year, a new bird seems to be featured for its gorgeous markings or stout figure. The truth is that all birds are beautiful. Since beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it is never a done deal when creating a list of beautiful birds in the world. The list can always be tweaked and changed as new varieties are discovered!

See also: 

• Can Pheasants Fly? What You Need To Know!
• The 10 Best Birding Places to Experience Before You Die

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Featured Image Credit: SAJE, Shutterstock