There are many birds in the world with colorful and striking plumage. When thinking of birds with “many colors,” a few specific species typically come to mind. In this article, we will explore some of the most vibrantly colored birds and discuss what makes their feathers so eye-catching. We’ll also look at some interesting facts about these colorful avians.
Birds of Paradise
One of the most well-known colorful birds is the bird of paradise. There are over 40 different species of birds of paradise, most of which are found in New Guinea. These birds are famous for their elaborate plumage and unique courtship dances.
Male birds of paradise have specially adapted feathers on their heads, necks, wings, and tails. These feathers can be elongated into wires, twisted, made iridescent, or shaped into vibrant ornamental plumes. The result is a dazzling array of colors and patterns when the male displays for females. Plumage colors include crimson, royal blue, emerald green, gold, purple, yellow, and more.
Some of the most spectacularly colored birds of paradise include:
| Species | Notable Colors |
| King of Saxony bird of paradise | Shimmering blue head plumes |
| Twelve-wired bird of paradise | Golden yellow feathers on head and neck |
| Wilson’s bird of paradise | Bright red back and crown |
| Paradise riflebird | Glossy blue-black plumage with iridescent throat |
The vibrant colors help attract mates. Female birds of paradise are a little more subdued in coloration but still have attractive plumage compared to related bird species.
Peacocks and Peafowl
Another famous bird known for its colorful feathers is the peacock. Peacocks are male peafowl, a type of pheasant found in parts of Asia and Africa. What most people think of as the peacock’s tail is not actually its tail but rather elongated and specialized upper tail covert feathers.
When a peacock displays its tail feathers, known as a “train,” it can span 5-6 feet across. The train feathers shine with an array of colors that include:
– Iridescent blues
– Emerald greens
– Bronze and copper hues
– Purples
– Golds
The peacock can angle its feathers to catch and reflect different colors in the light, adding to the stunning effect. While peahens (female peafowl) lack the male’s elaborate train, they do have green and bronze colored plumage.
Turacos
Turacos are unique birds found in sub-Saharan Africa. They are closely related to cuckoos. Turacos are noted for their brightly colored plumage and unusual head crests.
Some examples of beautifully colored turacos include:
| Species | Colors |
| Livingstone’s turaco | Red flight feathers, blue body, yellow underparts |
| Great blue turaco | Emerald green wings and tail, crimson flight feathers, blue head |
| Violet turaco | Violet head and underparts, green wings |
| Green turaco | Bright green plumage on head, wings, and tail |
The pigments that give turacos their unique colors are referred to as turacoverdins. These pigments are unusual in that they contain copper. The turacos’ colorful feathers are believed to play a role in social interactions and mate attraction.
Tanagers
Tanagers comprise a large family of small, active songbirds found in the tropics of Central and South America. There are over 200 different species of tanagers, exhibitng a rainbow of plumage colors.
Some of the most vibrantly colored tanagers include:
– Paradise tanager – Bright red with black wings and tail.
– Seven-colored tanager – As the name suggests, plumage has seven colors: olive green, blue, rufous, orange, black, yellow, and purple.
– Spotted tanager – Lemon yellow with emerald green spots all over its body and wings.
– Blue-and-gold tanager – Turquoise blue head and body, black wings, orange underparts.
– Bay-headed tanager – Orange red head, yellow and olive green body.
Tanagers’ brilliant coloring appears to play a role in species recognition and mate selection. The pigments melanin and carotenoids produce the various hues.
Why Are Birds So Colorful?
Birds have evolved bright, vibrant plumage for several important reasons:
Camouflage – While camouflage may seem counterintuitive for colorful birds, some species rely on their colors to blend in. The wood duck with its gorgeous feathers resembles the brightly colored leaves it lives among.
Signaling – Bright plumage helps birds recognize others of the same species. This is especially important for attracting mates. The more vibrant the display, the more attractive the bird.
Courtship – Elaborate feathers like those of birds of paradise have evolved specifically for competitive mating displays. Females can assess male fitness based on coloration.
Status – Dominant or older males may have brighter plumage than younger males, serving as a status symbol and intimidating rivals.
Protection – The toxicity of some tantalizingly colored birds may warn potential predators to stay away. For example, the pitohui’s red and black feathers signal its poisonous alkaloid compounds.
Conclusion
Birds like paradise birds, peacocks, turacos, and tanagers provide some of the most striking examples of avian color. Their vibrant hues can be attributed to pigments like melanins and carotenoids as well as structural colors from light refraction off specialized feathers. Regardless of the mechanism, such showy plumage demonstrates evolution’s endless creativity. Birds have driven the development of colorful feathers because they play key roles in camouflage, communication, courtship, status, and protection. So the next time you see a flash of red, blue, or gold, look up – it’s likely a male bird flaunting his colorful allure!
