1. The Rainbow Lorikeet
The Rainbow Lorikeet is very
colourful – almost every colour of the rainbow can be found on their
feathers. Lorikeets are parrots from Australasia, which can be found
found on many Pacific islands, and are common along the eastern seaboard
of Australia and Tasmania. Usually found in rainforest, coastal bush
and woodland areas, they are one of the most visually attractive birds
in the world.
2. Golden Pheasant
The
Golden or “Chinese Pheasant” is another type of bird that catches the
eye with a wonderful display of colour. These are gamebirds, native to
western China, although they have been bred in other countries like the
UK, and are unmistakably lovely with a golden crest, rump and bright red
body. When showing off to attract a mate, the male spreads his deep
orange 'cape', which looks just like a black and orange fan covering
everything except the bright yellow eye. A truly magnificent sight.
3. The Bali Bird of Paradise
There
are many kinds of bird-of-paradise, all of which have truly beautiful
displays, and most are found on the island of New Guinea. Forty types
are known to biologists, all highly memorable because the plumage of the
male birds is so wonderfully colourful. Particular kinds have highly
elongated and elaborate feathers extending from the beak, wings and
head, and give mating displays that can take your breath away. You are
only ever likely to see them on film, though, because they mostly live
in inaccessible, dense rainforest habitats.
4. The Scarlet Macaw
The
Scarlet Macaw is the bird we imagine on the shoulder of the pirate Long
John Silver, though it would weigh heavy after a while. This is a big
and colorful bird with a long tail, weighing in at around 2.2lbs. The
incredibly bright plumage comes in colours ranging from the scarlet for
which it is named, through to light blue, yellow, dark red with metallic
gold iridescence, and even some green in the wings. They have bare
white skin around the eye down to the beak, and lots of tiny white
feathers on their faces. Native to humid evergreen forests in the
American tropics, this truly spectacular bird is yet another glorious
example of how creative nature can be in ensuring the survival of
species.
5. Stork Billed Kingfisher
Eastern
Asia is where you might come across the truly gorgeous Stork-billed
Kingfisher, a wonderfully colourful tree-dweller that once more
demonstrates the wonder of nature. A big bird for its type, at around
14in long, the strutting male shows off green, blue, grey, buff, and
bright red body parts to female onlookers in yet another fabulous
display. These birds live in a variety of well-wooded habitats near
lakes, rivers and coasts, and are territorial enough to chase away
eagles and other intruders.
6. Painted Bunting
Small
can be every bit as attractive as large, and a brilliant example of
this is the male Painted Bunting, often described as the most beautiful
bird in North America. With body colors from dark blue, green, red and
shades between, it is still difficult to spot as it hides even when
singing. The Painted Bunting is found in thickets, woodland edges and
brushy areas, along roadsides, in suburban areas, and gardens all over
the USA, a truly beautiful little living rainbow that will gladden your
heart.
7. Keel Billed Toucan
At first sight this seems quite a threatening creature, but the
Keel-billed, Sulfur-breasted or Rainbow-billed Toucan, is truly a
splendid sight to see. This South American bird, the national bird of
Belize, spends its time high up in the canopies of rainforests. These
are yet more drop-dead gorgeous examples of what lengths Mother Nature
goes to so that the boys will attract the girls. Blow-your-mind
beautiful is the only way that creatures like these can be accurately be
described. It is truly a privilege to see them.
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