The World’s Top 10 Most Beautiful Birds You May Not Have Heard About!

By Saumya On Jun 6, 2022

10 Most Beautiful Birds: According to most bird watchers and experts, there are between 9,000 and 10,000 species of birds.

Physical appearance is one of the most common methods to recognize them, and if you start looking closely, you’ll see that birds come in a variety of forms and colors.

And some of them are just stunning. Continue scrolling to see some of the most gorgeous birds from throughout the world, from those with exquisite eyelashes to others that appear like little cotton balls.

1. Greater Bird-of-Paradise

The Paradusaea genus is home to the largest species, the Greater Bird of Paradise. The bird is primarily located in the lowlands and highland forests of the Aru islands, Indonesia, and southwest New Guinea.

An adult male bird of paradise can reach a length of 43 cm (17 inches), excluding the lengthy tail wires. The female is larger than the male, with a height of 48 cm (19 inches).

Seeds, fruits, and tiny insects comprise the primary diet of the larger bird of paradise. Their females are frequently observed foraging in conjunction with other bird-of-paradise species and even other avian species.

2. Resplendent Quetzal

The resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) is a diminutive bird that is indigenous to southern Mexico and Central America. It is found in tropical forests, with a particular emphasis on montane cloud forests.

They are classified as Trogonidae, and there are two recognized subspecies: P. m. mocinno and P. m. costaricensis. The resplendent, like other quetzals, is predominantly omnivorous, consuming fruits from plants in the Lauraceae family. However, it occasionally preys on insects, lizards, frogs, and snails.

The species is renowned for its intricate and vibrant plumage, which exhibits substantial gender differences. Females are duller and shorter in the tail, while males have iridescent green feathers, a red lower breast and abdomen, black innerwings, and a white undertail. Bronze-green heads are accompanied by grey lower breasts, stomachs, and bills, which are considered feminine characteristics.

3. Formosan Magpie

The Taiwan blue magpie, also referred to as the Taiwan magpie, Formosan blue magpie, or “long-tailed mountain lady,” is a type of crow. It is endemic to Taiwan.

It has a length of 63-68 cm (25-27 in). The wings are 20 centimeters (7.9 in) in length, while the tail is approximately 34-42 cm (13-17 in) in length. It has a weight of 254-260 grams (9.0-9.2 oz).

The male and female possess comparable plumage. The breasts, neck, and cranium are all black. The beak and foot are crimson, while the eyes are yellow. The remaining plumage is primarily blue. White ends are present on the wings and tail feathers. The flight feathers are light grey, while the underwing coatings are dark gray.

Black ends are present on uppertail-coverts. The longest tail feathers are located in the center. Black bands are present on the remaining tail feathers. The chicks are gray in color, possess a short tail, and have greyish-blue irises.

4. Himalayan Monal

The Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus), also known as the Impeyan monal or the Impeyan pheasant, is a pheasant that inhabits Himalayan forests and shrublands at elevations ranging from 2,100 to 4,500 meters (6,900 to 14,800 feet). It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is a member of the Phasianidae family.

It is a pheasant that is relatively large. The bird measures approximately 70 centimeters (28 inches) in length. The female can weigh up to 2,150 g (76 oz), while the male can weigh up to 2,380 g (84 oz). The female, like other pheasants, is more subdued in color, whereas the adult male exhibits vibrant plumage.

The male bird is characterized by a conspicuous white rump, coppery feathers on the back and neck, and a long, metallic green crest. This is most easily visible when the bird is flight. In general, the tail feathers of the male are rufous, becoming darker as they approach the tips.

Conversely, the lower tail coverts of the female are white with black and red bars. The female is characterized by a white stripe running down the tail and a substantial white patch on the throat. The juvenile and first-year male are similar to the female; however, the former is larger and the latter is less distinct.

5. Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher

The Oriental dwarf kingfisher, also known as the black-backed kingfisher or three-toed kingfisher, is a diminutive bird. It is a bird that migrates and is indigenous to the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

It is among the smallest known species of kingfisher. It is only slightly larger than a medium-sized hummingbird, as it can grow to be 12.5-14 cm in length, including the bill and tail.

It is found in lowland forests near ponds or streams, where it consumes insects, worms, spiders, crabs, frogs, lizards, and fish. The Oriental dwarf kingfisher is easily identifiable from other birds in its family due to its blue-black back, lilac-rufus upperparts, yellow-orange underparts, and red bill.

6. Scarlet Macaw

Scarlet macaws stand out among the range of macaw colors, sizes, and forms. They are endemic to Central and South America’s tropical evergreen forests.

It’s impossible to ignore how distinctively colored their feathers are. Both their backs and wings are a vibrant shade of scarlet. The monarch butterfly’s upper wings are yellow with a green border.

7. Golden Pheasant

The Golden Pheasant lives in the highlands of western China. Other names for them are Chinese pheasant and rainbow pheasant.

Male pheasants have golden-yellow crests and bright red bodies, which make them more beautiful and colorful than females. The female pheasant is substantially darker in color than the male.

8. Victoria Crowned Pigeon

The Victoria crowned pigeon is a large bluish-grey pigeon with elegant plumage. The bird has red irises, maroon breasts, and a blue lace-like crest. This bird is native to the New Guinea region.

The bird is easily identified by the distinctive white tips on its crest, which give the appearance of a beautiful crown on its head. They usually travel in pairs or flocks in search of food.

They enjoy eating figs, but their diet primarily consists of fallen fruits. They also eat seeds and invertebrates as dietary supplements. In the wild, these birds are shyer than western crowned pigeons, but they can be approached quietly on occasion.

9. Toco Toucan

The Toco toucan, also referred to as the common toucan or giant toucan, is the most prevalent and largest species in the toucan family. This bird inhabits semi-open habitats in central and eastern South America. A frequent attraction in zoos is the Toco toucan.

Its plumage is both striking and beautiful, featuring a predominantly black body, a white throat and chest, and white upper tail-coverts. The under tail-coverts are red. The blue iris is typically observed in small groups or pairs, as a result of a thin layer of blue skin surrounding the eyes.

The Toco toucan primarily consumes fruits, but it also consumes frogs, insects, small reptiles, small birds, and their eggs. Its lengthy bill is employed to access objects that would otherwise be inaccessible. These birds are exceedingly protective of their young and themselves.

10. Nicobar Pigeon

The Nicobar Pigeon lives on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Malay Archipelago, which are both in India. In the open air, this colorful bird is a sight to see. Compared to a pigeon, this bird, which is 16 inches long, is a giant.