Exotically coloured birds are so exciting to spot – especially if you live away from tropical climes and are used to more muted-coloured species.
Not only do the magnificent hues make them look splendid, the bright plumage of wild birds has important functions. Distinctive colours and patterns help birds camouflage in trees, identify their own species, and they also play a big part in some species' courtship.
While some species get their bright colours from the food they eat (think pink flamingos), researchers believe that climatic and ecological conditions contribute to passerine birds (small to medium-sized land birds) at the equator being 30% more colourful that others.
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Birds that feed on abundant fruits and flower nectar are able to invest more energy in plumage and colour, they say.
10 most colourful birds
1. Rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus)
The rainbow lorikeet, a member of the parrot family, is a dazzling mix of bright green, blue, yellow, red, and orange colours. Its head is blue and beak, red-orange. Even the underneath of its wings have stripes of yellow and red feathers.
The males and females look alike; see them in north and east Australia, in rural and urban areas.
2. Scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber)
Much like the flamingo, the scarlet ibis' vivid colouring is directly linked to its diet. Carotene, found in the crustaceans on which it feeds, turns its feathers scarlet-red.
It has a long, curved beak, which is adapted for foraging in mud or shallow waters of South American mangroves. Both sexes share the bright colouring, as well as the contrasting blue-black wingtips.
3. Golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus)
The male golden pheasant is famous for its brilliant plumage in regal shades of red, gold and blue. Its most distinctive feature is the long, golden crest on top of its head, and its bright red underside.
The long tail feathers are iridescent and usually fanned out during courtship displays.
The female is a paler brown. They are shy birds that keep to dark, dense woodland. They are native to China but found in many other places across the world.
4. Lilac-breasted roller (Coracias caudatus)
Kenya's national bird is a mix of bright colours – shades of blue, purple, green, and lilac. The chest and underparts are a soft lilac color, with bright blue wings and back.
It's a member of the roller bird family, which are known for dipping and rolling from side-to-side as they fly.
5. Scarlet macaw (Ara macao)
The rainbow-coloured scarlet macaw is probably the most iconic of tropical parrots. Its brilliant red, yellow, and blue plumage contrasts with a bare white face and black-and-white bill.
They are large birds with a wingspan of over a metre that are native to Central America. They live in tropical rainforests, preferring tall trees near rivers that provide ample food and nesting sites.
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6. Lesser bird of paradise (Paradisaea minor)
New Guinea’s birds of paradise are a group of more than 40 related species confined to the forests and mountains. They are seldom seen by anyone other than intrepid ornithologists.
Males mate with as many females as possible in a reproductive system known as polygyny. To aid them in this life goal, they are equipped with ornate plumage that they use to impress females.
One of the most eye-catching features of the male lesser bird of paradise is its long, flowing tail feathers. They are bright yellow and can be fanned out during his courtship display.
7. Keel-billed toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
The colourful bill of the keel-billed toucan makes up one-third of its length. It's a unmissable yellow with green, blue and orange markings – and certainly earns it a place on our weirdest bird beaks list.
The toucan can still function efficiently with its huge bill – it's lightweight and enables it to pick and peel tasty fruit. It also houses a tongue that helps it catch insects and larger foods.
The body is predominantly black, with a bright lemon-yellow chest and throat.
8. Black-backed kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca)
The jewel-coloured black-backed kingfisher can be found in tropical and subtropical areas of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
It's a tiny bird, just 13 cm in length, with yellow underparts and bluish-black upperparts and an orange-red bill.
9. Ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri)
The ring-necked parakeet is a medium-sized parrot originally from Africa and southern Asia but now naturalised in the UK, thanks to warmer winters.
It is unmistakably green with thin black and pink markings around its neck and a bright red bill. Breeding colonies can be across Britain, as far north as Scotland.
10. Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus)
Male Indian peafowl, more commonly called a peacock, are renowned for their spectacular tail feathers in shades of blue, green, and gold.
They grow their trains of iridescent feathers during the mating season, then fan them out to reveal their eye-shaped patterns and rattle them to attract a mate.
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