Violet-crowned Woodnymph (hummingbird), Costa Rica
Scarlet Macaw, Peru, South America
There are many scientific discussions about the brightly colored birds on our planet. But instead of getting bogged down with melanin, refraction, and mating theories, let’s just look and admire today.
This is a day to relax into the rainbow.
We will start with the first color of the rainbow: red. The summer tanager and vermillion flycatcher, both found in North America and elsewhere, begin the rainbow with a hot start.
Summer Tanager, male, Blue Hole Nat’l Park, Belize
Vermillion Flycatcher, male, Belize
Shades of red vary in the avian world, these two birds are red-orange.
Apapane, native Hawaiian bird
Southern Carmine Bee-eater, Zambia
Pink birds, a variation of red, are not seen as commonly.
Roseate Spoonbill, Ding Darling, Florida
Flamingo, Galapagos

Next on the spectrum, orange in birds is often paired with brown. But this azure kingfisher sports a very bright orange breast and legs (and dazzling azure head and back).
Azure Kingfisher, Australia
This orange and black grosbeak breeds in our backyard every summer. The male’s colors flash conspicuously as he flies.
Black-headed Grosbeak, male, California
Since many forests have green leaves that turn to yellow, yellow birds can be found in many places.
Saffron Finch, Big Island, Hawaii
Lesser Goldfinch, male, California. Photo: Athena Alexander
Green is a color often seen in parrot species.
Red-winged Parrot, Australia
Mexican Parrotlets
This violet-green swallow, a bird who nests in our nest boxes, swoops through the air showing off his elegant emerald finery.
Violet-green Swallow, male, California
Blue and indigo are both colors of the rainbow, and in birds there are numerous shades of blue.
This so-called green honeycreeper appears more turquoise.
Green Honeycreeper, male, Trinidad
While this turquois jay is adorned with several shades of blue.
Turquoise Jay, Ecuador
The greater blue-eared glossy starling provides a blue spectacle all its own.
Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling, Botswana, Africa
The aptly-named resplendent quetzal gets my vote for the most beautiful bird on the planet. The blue-green shades shimmer in the light, and the long streamer tail floating behind the bird stops you in your tracks.
We traveled to a very remote village in a Central American cloud forest to see this bird. We met our guide at 5 a.m. and he took us to the wild avocado trees where the quetzals eat. At one point there was actually a traffic jam in the forest because truck drivers, potato farmers and anyone passing by abandoned their vehicles to join our admiration club.
Resplendent Quetzal, male, Costa Rica
The peacock, a native of India with a long swag of green and blue, is incredibly eye-catching with a tail full of eyes.
Peacock, male, at a Texas ranch
Violet birds. The Costa’s hummingbird looks black in some light. But its throat and head vibrantly come alive with iridescent purple in the right light.
Costa’s Hummingbird, male, Palm Springs, California
And this purple honeycreeper is so garishly purple it is difficult to look anywhere else.
Purple Honeycreeper, male, Trinidad
Although the lilac-breasted roller has a lilac-colored breast, the bird showcases a rainbow kaleidoscope, especially when the bird spins through the air.
Lilac-breasted Roller, Zambia, Africa
This leads us to a few sensational birds who grace the world with all the colors of the rainbow.
The rainbow bee-eater, a marvel to behold.
Rainbow Bee-eater, Australia
The painted bunting effortlessly showcases all the colors on the artist’s palette.
Painted Bunting, male, Florida
And lastly, the remarkable rainbow lorikeet, boasting the colors of the rainbow like no other bird on this planet.
Rainbow Lorikeet, Australia
Birders and photographers know well the game of light when it comes to the outdoors. If a brightly colored subject isn’t in good light, the color doesn’t stand out.
But there are those marvelous days when the light is just right: a day to celebrate the colors of the rainbow and all the glory on this planet.
Written by Jet Eliot.
All photos in the wild by Athena Alexander.
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Costa Rica