10 Colourful Birds That Look Like They Were Painted by Artists

Time of India

22-07-2025

These days, with filters and edits everywhere, it's easy to forget that some of the most amazing colours still come straight from nature. And birds? Some of them are honestly so colourful, you'd think they aren't real.
But they are! No editing, no effects– just feathers that naturally look like they've been painted.
All over the world, there are birds with bright blues, glowing greens, and shades that don't even seem real. Some of them use those colours to attract a mate, some to blend in, and others just stand out without trying.
Here are ten birds that are so beautiful, you'll probably do a double-take– but yes, they're completely real.
Keel-Billed Toucan
If you've ever spotted a bird that looked like it had a rainbow for a beak, it was probably this one. The keel-billed toucan lives in Central America and is instantly recognised by its oversized, multicoloured bill– with green, orange, red, and blue all rolled into one.
Surprisingly, the beak is lightweight despite its size. It helps the bird pick fruit, insects, and sometimes even small reptiles. With a mostly black body, a yellow throat, and a splash of red under the tail, this bird is as functional as it is eye-catching.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Splendid Fairy Wren
For most of the year, this Australian bird blends into the background– until the breeding season, when the male transforms into a bright blue spectacle with black markings across the face. Colour alone isn't the only thing used to impress potential mates– males are also known to present flower petals during courtship.
Gouldian Finch
Nicknamed the 'rainbow finch,' this tiny bird wears a patchwork of green backs, purple chests, yellow bellies, and heads that can be red, black, or yellow.
Each one looks slightly different, making them even more fascinating to spot. They usually move in groups and stay near water sources. Unfortunately, due to habitat loss and trapping, their numbers in the wild have declined.
Fiery-Throated Hummingbird
Small and quick, this hummingbird shines beautifully. Found in the highlands of Central America, its throat flashes orange, green, and blue when the light hits just right. It feeds on nectar and tiny insects, using its long beak to reach deep into flowers.
Indian Peafowl (Peacock)
One of the most recognisable birds in the world, the male peafowl's bright blue body and elaborate tail feathers are unmatched. The tail features "eyes" in blue and green, fanned out dramatically during mating displays. Interestingly, the females– known as peahens– are more subdued, dressed in earthy browns and greens without the ornate tail.
Lilac-Breasted Roller
Found across eastern and southern Africa, this bird looks like a flying colour palette– with a lilac chest, turquoise belly, green head, and bright blue wings.
It's no surprise photographers can't resist stopping to capture it. During courtship, it puts on quite a show with quick dives and mid-air rolls. The rest of the time, it's usually perched up high, watching for insects, frogs, or lizards to swoop down on.
Wilson's Bird of Paradise
One of the most eye-catching birds in the bird-of-paradise family, Wilson's bird of paradise is found in parts of Indonesia. The male stands out with a red back, yellow collar, green chest, and a bright blue, bald head– plus two curly tail feathers that look almost unreal.
Red-Necked Tanager
With a green body, red neck and cheeks, bluish throat, and hints of purple on the head, this bird looks like someone coloured it in with every crayon they had. It lives mostly in the forests of South America. These birds forage mainly in treetops, occasionally coming down for fruit.
Resplendent Quetzal
This bird almost glows in the cloud forests of Central America. Males have shimmering green feathers, a red chest, and extremely long tail feathers during the breeding season– sometimes over three feet in length.
More than just beautiful, the quetzal has deep cultural roots in ancient Mesoamerican traditions and still features in national symbols and folklore.
Spangled Cotinga
Found in the Amazon rainforest, the male spangled cotinga has soft blue feathers and a magenta throat– a colour combo you don't see too often. Despite their bright looks, they're usually quiet and stick to themselves, often seen perched high in fruiting trees. During breeding season, they add insects to their diet for a little extra energy– especially when it's time to impress a mate.