7 of the Most Colorful Birds on the Planet

Colors play a very important role in the animal world. It’s one of the features certain species need to attract mates.  With birds, the male specimen is often the one that comes with the flashy colors and interesting feather patterns.

Below are 7 of the most colorful birds in the wild.

Scarlet Macaw

A native bird found in the tropics of South America, this large parrot has prominent blue, yellow and red colors all over its body. There is also a white skin patch surrounding its bill and eyes and it also has a long tail which makes it look even more majestic. Despite their size, these birds are actually able to fly very fast. Very social animal, scarlet macaws live in small groups and feed off fruits, seeds and nuts.

Mandarin Duck

These medium sized ducks are one of the most colorful perching ducks found in East Asian. Male specimens are easy recognized with their distinct red bill, brown face and a white crescent above their eyes. They also have purple colored breast that have two white bars that make them stand out.  These ducks migrate to Southern Japan or Eastern China and feed on seeds, plants, small fish, snails and insects.

Toco Toucan

The toco toucan is known for its quit colorful and large bill. There are around forty different sub-species that come with a variety of bill colors. They actually don’t use their bills to protect themselves, even though it makes up more than of its body. These birds are not strict vegetarians. They eat small lizards and insects along with fruits.

Stork-Billed Kingfisher

Found in the Southeast Asia and Indian Subcontinent, the Stork-billed Kingfisher has a huge beak and has a wonderful combination of colors. It has blue wings and tail, as well as a green back. Their legs are a bright red, which makes them sound out even more as they live near lakes, coasts and rivers. These birds would perch on tree branches, waiting for frogs, crabs, and fish. 

Australian King Parrot

The male specimen of the Australian King Parrot is one of the most colorful birds native to Eastern Australia. They have red lower undersides, breasts and heads with green wings. Feeding on small insects, seeds, and fruits, they live in pairs or groups in the eastern Australian forests. 

Roseate Spoonbill

It’s pink plumage and gray bill, along with its size, makes the roseate spoonbill a distinctive bird in North America’s swamps, marshes and ponds. Its white feathers go down its upper back, chest, and neck, but its eyes and legs have a vivid red color. This bird keeps its bill under water to capture small amphibians and fishes in the shallow waters.

Red-legged Partridge

A farmland bird that looks very fragile, the red-legged partridge usually has small legs with a round body. Its pinkish legs, a bright red beak, and red rings around their eyes stand out from its cream and gray feathers. A game bird that stays mostly on the ground, they eat small invertebrates and seeds.