Some of the world’s most beautiful birds are not actually rare or expensive birds. Some in fact you have already owned or kept as a pet.
But a few are really special and will blow your mind when you look at them closely. In this article we take a look at the 11 Most Beautiful and most colorful birds in the world. Well, what we think are the most beautiful.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder as the saying goes and you may have your own opinions. But take a look at the 11 most colorful birds I picked and see if you agree with my selection.
Table of Contents
11 Most Beautiful Colorful Birds of the World
11. Golden pheasant
| Order | Family | Genus | Species |
| Psittacifornmes | Psittaculidae | Trichoglossus | Trichoglossus moluccanus |
The male Golden Pheasant is much more colorful than its female partner. This timid bird can be found deep in the darkest parts of the forest through the daytime, only coming out as the light starts to drop.
This gamebird of the Phasianidae family is native to mountainous, subtropical and temperate forests in south and western China. Often called by its more common name ‘Chinese Pheasant’.
Although their numbers have declined, they can still be found in the wild in Tresco, Scilly, and Brownsea Island and parts of the UK.
10. Red-necked Tanager
| Order | Family | Genus | Species |
| Passeriformes | Thraupidae | Tangara | Tangara cyanocephala |
These birds are very difficult to spot as they like to spend most of their time high up in the forest canopies only being spotted when they make their recognizable ‘sip’ sound.
Many bird spotters have noted this unique noise they make whilst being watched in their native home of South America.
Their feathers are mostly green with a blue throat and head (crown) and red/orange cheeks and nape. Males have a distinctive black back and females are duller in color with a mottled black back.
9. Blue/Azure Kingfisher
| Order | Family | Genus | Species |
| Coraciiformes | Alcedinidae | Ceyx | Ceyx azureus |
Kingfishers are some of the most majestic birds you can ever see. There’s something about the bird that captures and keeps you spellbound.
The Azure blue Kingfisher takes beauty to a whole new level. These amazing fish hunters are even capable of breaking through thick ice whilst diving for fish. Thanks to their amazingly strong beaks.
Kingfishers look bright Azure Bluie, but are actually a dull brown color. The iridescent coloring that we see is due to a difference between structural and pigmented coloration.
If we saw light reflected directly from their wings, we would see brown, but the light is bouncing around the structure of their wings makes them look blue.
8. Purple Gallinule
| Order | Family | Genus | Species |
| Gruiformes | Rallidae | Porphyrio | Porphyrio martinicus |
Walking in and around the marshes of the extreme southeastern U.S. lives one of the most strikingly beautiful and colored birds in all of North America. The Purple Gallinule can be found around freshwater lakes and ponds hunting for food.
Its striking body color of purple, blue, and red beak makes a striking contrast to their bright yellow legs. Making them one of the most recognizable birds of the Rallidae family.
Although juveniles look completely different and have a duller brown color. Only as adults can you witness their true beauty.
7. Gouldian Finch
| Order | Family | Genus | Species |
| Passeriformes | Estrilididae | Erythrura | Erythrura gouldidae |
The Gouldian Finch is native to the savanna woodlands of Northern and Western Australia. A prized bird for any aviary but commanding a huge price tag of over $2000 each. This puts them into the Top 10 Most expensive pet birds.
Males and Females have green, black, yellow, and red markings. However, the chests of the males are purple while that of the females are lilac.
These small birds 125-145mm are known by many names like Lady Gouldian finch, Gould’s finch, or the rainbow finch. But no matter what name you call them, you simply cannot get them mixed up with any other birds as they are truly one of a kind.
6. Lilac-breasted Roller
| Order | Family | Genus | Species |
| Coraciiformes | Coraciidae | Coracias | Coracias caudatus |
Known for having one of the most spectacular courtship flights and displays. The Lilac-breasted Roller can be seen in many parts of Eastern and Southern Africa.
There are 8 species of Roller bird family (Coraciidae) but the Lilac-Breasted roller is one of the standout birds in this family.
Their appearance is made up from only 8 different but the contrast and quality of their colors makes them stand out.
They have a wide wingspan of between 50 and 58 cm and to see one of these birds in mid-flight and the colors underneath their wings is simply amazing.
5. Crimson Rosella
| Order | Family | Genus | Species |
| Coraciiformes | Psittaculidae | Platycercus | Platycercus elegans |
The crimson rosella is native to eastern and southeastern Australia, where it inhabits open forests, woodlands, gardens as well as parks. However, thanks to its numbers in the wild and their appearance they have become a very popular pet bird to keep in your home or outside aviary.
Their striking colors, and behaviors and the ability to be hand trained has made them one of the most popular birds in the USA.
Rosellas are not the most talkative birds and often can be heard emitting a loud shrieking sound. Not the most pleasant of noises! This maybe the reason why Parrots still hold the number one spot for most popular large pet birds.
4. Lovebirds
| Order | Family | Genus | Species |
| Psittaciformes | Psittaculidae | Agapornis | Agapornithinae |
One of my all-time favorite pet birds. Thanks to the variety of lovebirds available you can find them in just about any color you want.
Only 5-7 inches tall make them the ideal size for many homes and cages and thanks to huge numbers in the African continent. They are not in any danger of becoming vulnerable in the wild. Even though huge numbers are captured for captivity each year.
Although these birds will not talk their colors and cute behaviors when kept in pairs makes up for their lack of speech.
3. Crowned Woodnymph
| Order | Family | Genus | Species |
| Apodiformes | Trochilidae | Thalurania | Thalurania colombica |
This stunning little hummingbird from central and southern America is difficult to spot due to its speed and agility. But when you do get the chance to see one up close you’ll realize how colorful and beautiful they are.
Feeding primarily on nectar collected by using their long beak from scented small flowers of trees, herbs, shrubs and epiphytes the Crowned Woodnymph is always on the go.
Small ( 4-5 inch ) but truly stunning little birds.
2. Scarlet Macaw
| Order | Family | Genus | Species |
| Psittaciformes | Psittacidae | Ara | Ara macao |
The Scarlet Macaw has to be one of the most recognizable birds in the world. Famous for their ability to talk and do tricks they are often seen in many shows and large homes.
One of the largest parrots in the world growing up to 33 inch in height. Their huge wingspan can be seen high above the tropical rainforest areas of Central and South America.
A highly prized bird for any pet lovers but costing anywhere from $4000 – $12000 they are only a dream for most bird lovers like myself.
1. Andeans Cock-of-the-rock
| Order | Family | Genus | Species |
| Passeriformes | Cotingidae | Rupicola | Rupicola peruvianus |
The Andean cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus), also known as tunki can be found in the rain forests of South America. One of only two species of this bird the other being the Guianan cock-of-the-rock.
These birds are very protected due to them being the national bird of Peru and therefore loved and protected by its people.
A very impressive bird approximately 32 cm (13 in) long and weighing around 265 grams (9.3 oz; 0.584 lb) with striking colors and unusual head shape the Andean cock-of-the-rock is unmistakable.
This rare and striking bird certainly deserves its place in our list of the 11 most colorful birds in the world.
Why are birds so colorful?
There are a number of reasons why birds are so colorful.
- Defence (warn off attackers)
- To attract a mate
- Camouflage
Many people argue that warmer tropical countries have more colorful species of birds than countries like the USA or the UK. However, this is not true.
Yes, there are some stunning birds in the wild in places like the rain forests of Mexico and Australia. But there are actually far more brown and less colorful birds there than you might think.
These birds don’t always get talked about for obvious reasons (they don’t look as pretty as some other species).
The actual percentage of colorful birds is very low.
Many birds have the ability to change their colors when trying to attract a mate and through the breeding seasons.
Some can also change their feather colors to match their surroundings. Flying off to warmer climates in winter and then adapting to their new environment.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, some of the birds featured are simply stunning. But look closely at your average pet Zebra Finch or Parakeet and you’ll see their finer details and realize how beautiful they are.
Look at your budgie and see the stunning patterns around their head and the color of their beak. I had a pair of peach lovebirds when I was younger, and they were simply stunning!
A beautiful bird does not need to be rare or expensive. You just need to look closely to spot their true colors
