Birds with stunning, electric blue wings are a sight to behold. The vibrant, neon coloring on their feathers makes them stand out against green forests or cloudless blue skies. But what kinds of birds have this brilliant blue plumage? Here’s a look at some of the most dazzling blue-winged birds found around the world.
Blue-winged Kookaburra
The blue-winged kookaburra (Dacelo leachii) is a large kingfisher species found in northern and eastern Australia and southern New Guinea. True to its name, the wings on the blue-winged kookaburra are a brilliant, electric shade of blue. When opened in flight or display, the wings show off a stunning contrast against the bird’s otherwise brownish plumage.
Blue-winged kookaburras take their color from specialized structural nanostructures in their feathers that reflect blue wavelengths. Their diet likely also contributes to the intensity of their hue. These birds feed on insects, small reptiles, and crustaceans that contain carotenoid pigments. By consuming these colorful compounds, blue-winged kookaburras assimilate them into growing feather structures.
Blue-winged Kookaburra Facts
- Length: 40-50 cm
- Wingspan: up to 60 cm
- Weight: 300 g
- Lifespan: up to 20 years
- Habitat: woodlands and forests
- Range: Northern and Eastern Australia, Southern New Guinea
Blue-winged Pitta
Another bird boasting bright blue wings is the blue-winged pitta (Pitta moluccensis). A member of the Pittidae family of passerines, the blue-winged pitta is native to forests and mangroves across tropical southern Asia and Indonesia.
The blue-winged pitta’s namesake colorful plumage comes from the iridescent blue coverts lining its wings and tail. When the bird is stationary, the blue hues are somewhat muted. But during bursts of activity and flight, the pitta’s wings flash their dazzling sapphire shades. Diet likely contributes to the intensity of the color, as these birds feast on figs and insects rich in carotenoids.
Blue-winged Pitta Facts
- Length: 17-20 cm
- Wingspan: 30 cm
- Weight: 60-80 g
- Lifespan: Unknown, likely up to 12 years
- Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests
- Range: Southern Asia and Indonesia
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird
Hummingbirds are famous for their iridescent plumage, and the swallow-tailed hummingbird (Eupetomena macroura) is one of the most brilliantly colored. Native to Central America and northern South America, these hummingbirds are named for their distinctive long, forked tail feathers. Their tails flash a dazzling blue and green in flight.
But it’s the swallow-tailed hummingbird’s wings that boast the most vibrant shades. Against an overall emerald body, the bird’s wings appear painted in bold strokes of sapphire blue and amethyst purple. This iridescence comes from neatly arranged melanin granules in the feathers. The granules reflect light at specific wavelengths to produce the hummingbird’s fantastic colors.
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird Facts
- Length: 11-13 cm
- Wingspan: 8-9 cm
- Weight: 5-8 g
- Lifespan: 5-6 years
- Habitat: Forests, woodlands, mangroves
- Range: Central America, Northern South America
Common Kingfisher
The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) lives up to its regal name with dazzling blue wings. This petite bird is widely distributed across Europe, Africa, and Asia in a range of aquatic and woodland habitats. Its bright blue back and wings make it easily recognizable.
The common kingfisher’s wings gleam a brilliant azure courtesy of the microscopic structure of its feathers. The feathers have tightly packed melanin granules that reinforce blue wavelengths. So when sunlight strikes, it scatters off the granules to produce the kingfisher’s magnificent colors.
Common Kingfisher Facts
- Length: 16-18 cm
- Wingspan: 24-26 cm
- Weight: 34-46 g
- Lifespan: up to 12 years
- Habitat: Rivers, lakes, coastlines, woodlands
- Range: Europe, Africa, Asia
Blue-winged Teal
The blue-winged teal (Spatula discors) is a small, vibrantly colored dabbling duck. During spring and summer months, the male’s plumage includes a striking sky-blue patch on the upper side of its wings. This iridescent coloration comes from light scattering off closely packed melanin granules in the feather structure.
The blue-winged teal breeds in North American grasslands before migrating south to wintering grounds in South America. The males’ bright breeding plumage likely helps attract mates. Outside of mating season, females and juveniles have a subdued mottled brown appearance.
Blue-winged Teal Facts
- Length: 30-40 cm
- Wingspan: 50-55 cm
- Weight: 260-450 g
- Lifespan: Up to 10 years
- Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, ponds
- Range: North America, migrates to South America
Vermillion Flycatcher
The vermillion flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) is aptly named for its vivid red plumage. But the male’s wings shine with glossy cobalt blue feathers known as wing linings. These thin blue feathers overlay the basic brown wing structures below.
Vermillion flycatchers inhabit scrublands and savannas from the southwestern United States through Central America. During mating displays, males raise their wings to showcase the dazzling blue linings against the bright red body. Diet likely contributes to the intensity of their hue, as these birds consume berries and insects rich in carotenoids.
Vermillion Flycatcher Facts
- Length: 11-13 cm
- Wingspan: 13-15 cm
- Weight: 9-12 g
- Lifespan: Up to 12 years
- Habitat: Scrublands, savannas, grasslands
- Range: Southwestern US to Central America
European Bee-eater
The European bee-eater (Merops apiaster) sports a rainbow of vibrant colors, including piercing blue wing feathers used for display. As a member of the Meropidae family, the European bee-eater’s entire body plan is optimized for aerial agility to hunt flying insect prey.
Long, tapered wings allow these birds to fly swiftly and acrobatically maneuver through the air. And those narrow wings are lined with an elegant gradient of blue shades, from deep cobalt on the coverts to bright sky blue on the flight feathers. These colors are thought to help with signaling and mate attraction in dense flocking environments.
European Bee-eater Facts
- Length: 25-29 cm
- Wingspan: 37-42 cm
- Weight: 35-55 g
- Lifespan: Up to 10 years
- Habitat: Grasslands, shrublands, wetlands
- Range: Europe, Northern Africa, Western Asia
Blue Jay
The blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a common backyard bird boasting brilliant blue plumage. Jays are members of the Corvidae family, known for their impressive intelligence. Native to eastern North America, blue jays’ cobalt blue feathers stand out sharply amidst their otherwise muted brownish appearance.
Structural coloration is responsible for the blue jay’s dazzling hues. Their feathers contain neatly arranged melanin granules that reinforce blue wavelengths of light through scattering and reflectance. This color likely helps blue jays communicate and signal warnings against predators in noisy forest environments.
Blue Jay Facts
- Length: 22-30 cm
- Wingspan: 34-43 cm
- Weight: 70-100 g
- Lifespan: Up to 15 years
- Habitat: Deciduous forests
- Range: Eastern North America
What Causes Blue Coloration in Birds?
So what gives so many bird species their stunning blue wing feathers and markings? The source of avian blues can be summed up in two main causes:
Structural Coloration
Structural coloration arises from microscopic structures in feathers that selectively reflect blue wavelengths of light. Two main types of nanostructures are responsible:
- Melanosomes: Organelles containing melanin pigments. Packed melanosomes scatter incoming light.
- Spongy layering: Alternating layers of keratin and air that reinforce blue through optical interference effects.
Pigments
Pigments like carotenoids are acquired through the avian diet and deposited into growing feathers. Carotenoid compounds can produce shades of blue, especially when paired with underlying structural colors.
Examples
Here are some examples of how these mechanisms impart blue color:
- Blue jays have tightly packed melanosomes that scatter blue wavelengths.
- Hummingbirds have alternating keratin/air layers that reflect blue.
- Kingfishers get an assist from carotenoids obtained through their fish diet.
Why Do Birds Have Blue Wings?
Some possible evolutionary reasons blue wings and markings developed in birds:
Species Recognition
In flocking or colonial species, blue markings help distinguish similar-looking birds at a distance.
Mate Attraction
Male birds will often use vivid blue plumage in mating displays to impress females.
Camouflage
Blue and green markings help some birds blend in with their natural habitats.
Warning Signal
For some species, conspicuous blue flashes may serve as a warning signal to scare off potential threats.
Dominance Display
Birds may flash blue feathers to signal aggression or social dominance to rivals.
Blue Birds Around the World
Beyond the examples described above, there are numerous bird species globally that boast brilliant blue plumage:
North America
- Blue grosbeak
- Indigo bunting
- Blue-gray gnatcatcher
- Mountain bluebird
- Western bluebird
Central and South America
- Turquoise-browed motmot
- Blue-crowned manakin
- Blue-black grassquit
- Blue-and-yellow macaw
Europe
- Eurasian blue tit
- Azure-winged magpie
- Bluethroat
Africa
- Lilac-breasted roller
- Blue waxbill
- Blue crane
Asia and Australia
- Indian roller
- Blue-and-white flycatcher
- Fairy bluebird
- Superb fairywren
Conclusion
Birds use a range of structural mechanisms and pigments to produce brilliant blue coloration. Vivid blue wings, in particular, have evolved in many species to attract mates, provide camouflage, send warning signals, and assist with species identification. Next time you spot a bird with an electric azure flash in its plumage, take a closer look at its stunning evolutionary display!
