One of the most stunning parts of any bird is the plumage. Birds come in every color imaginable, from the drabbest browns to the brightest yellows. But blue birds are extraordinary.
Whether you’re a bird watcher, a nature enthusiast, or simply someone who loves beauty and color, blue birds are sure to capture your attention. From tiny swallows to majestic parrots, here are just a few of the many blue birds.
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26 Birds with Blue Feathers
These are just some of the blue birds you’ll find out in the world. Of course, there are many others to discover!
1. Blue Jay
- Scientific name: Cyanocitta cristata
- Length: 25 to 30 cm
- Weight: 65 to 100 g
- Wingspan: 37 to 45 cm
With its bright blue color and distinctive crest, the Blue Jay is one of the most recognizable birds in North America. It has a variety of calls, from high-pitched to low, and is known for its intelligence and ability to mimic sounds.
2. Eastern Bluebirds
- Scientific name: Sialia sialis
- Length: 15-20 cm
- Weight: 25-35 g
- Wingspan: 25-35 cm
The Eastern Bluebird is a small, colorful bird with bright blue feathers and reddish-orange breasts. It is found throughout eastern North America and often nests in artificial birdhouses. The color collision of red and blue makes this bird a favorite among bird watchers.
3. Mountain Bluebird
- Scientific name: Sialia currucoides
- Length: 16-19 cm
- Weight: 35 g
- Wingspan: 30-35 cm
The Mountain Bluebird is a small, bright blue songbird in western North America. You can quickly identify it because of its prominent white belly, chest, and long tail. The Mountain Bluebird is one of the birds with the longest tails for its size.
4. Blue Grosbeak
- Scientific name: Passerina caerulea
- Length: 15-18 cm
- Weight: 25-30 g
- Wingspan: 25-30 cm
If you have the pleasure of spotting a blue grosbeak, you won’t soon forget it. The Blue Grosbeak is native to southern North America. It has bright blue feathers, a large beak, and white and orange patches on its wings. This bird is an excellent flier, often seen flying high above the trees in search of insects.
5. Indigo Bunting
- Scientific name: Passerina cyanea
- Length: 12-14 cm
- Weight: 20 g
- Wingspan: 20 cm
The Indigo Bunting is one of the birds with the most vibrant blue feathers. This tiny bird is in eastern North America and has a long tail and a sharp, conical bill. It is known for its distinctive song. If you see one, you will remember the many shades of blue you can see on its feathers.
6. Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers
- Scientific name: Polioptila caerulea
- Length: 10-15 cm
- Weight: 5-10 g
- Wingspan: 16 cm
If you have a keen eye, you can spot the blue-gray gnatcatchers. It feeds primarily on insects, catching them mid-air or picking them off branches. The blue-gray gnatcatcher is common throughout the eastern half of North America.
7. California Scrub Jay
- Scientific name: Aphelocoma californica
- Length: 25-32 cm
- Weight: 90 g
- Wingspan: 40 cm
This bird has one of the most unique combinations of colors on its feathers. The California Scrub Jay is a scavenger with bright gray plumage and touches of white around its face. It is the only jay native to western North America. The California Scrub Jay is a highly social bird and often forms large flocks.
8. Blue Rock Thrushes
- Scientific name: Monticola solitarius
- Length: 20-25 cm
- Weight: 55-75 g
- Wingspan: 30-40 cm
Like many other birds on this list, the blue rock thrush has various blue hues. This bird’s distinct dark blue body becomes almost metallic in the light. It is known for its melodious song and can often be spotted foraging for insects on the ground.
9. Common Kingfisher
- Scientific name: Alcedo atthis
- Length: 15-20 cm
- Weight: 35-45 g
- Wingspan: 25-30 cm
Common Kingfishers are some of the best aerial hunters in the world. This small bird has a brilliant blue body, iridescent green wings, and a long, dagger-like bill. The Common Kingfisher is known for its impressive diving skills.
10. Satin Bowerbirds
- Scientific name: Ptilonorhynchus violaceus
- Length: 30-35 cm
- Weight: 170-300 g
- Wingspan: 15-20 cm
If you see a satin bowerbird, check your belongings. In addition to having a metallic blue coat, this bird is a well-known thief. They build elaborate bowers to attract mates, which often include brightly colored objects that these birds collect from nearby birds and humans.
11. Tree Swallow
- Scientific name: Tachycineta bicolor
- Length: 10-15 cm
- Weight: 15-25 g
- Wingspan: 30-40 cm
The Tree Swallow is a small songbird with electric blue feathers and charcoal underparts. This species is known for its impressive aerial maneuvers, often diving and soaring through the air to catch its prey.
12. Lazuli Bunting
- Scientific name: Passerina amoena
- Length: 13-15 cm
- Weight: 15 g
- Wingspan: 25 cm
If you are in the western parts of North America, keep an eye out for the Lazuli Bunting. In addition to its unique name, you can hear its beautiful song long before seeing its unique color. Its color varies depending on location, but it is most commonly blue with a white belly. The Lazuli Bunting is known for its conspicuous mating rituals.
13. Hyacinth Macaw
- Scientific name: Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
- Length: 90-110 cm
- Weight: 1.2-1.8 kg
- Wingspan: 110-130 cm
The Hyacinth Macaw is the largest parrot in the world and an impressive sight to behold. This blue bird has a long, pointed beak and a mighty wingspan.
14. Barn Swallows
- Scientific name: Hirundo rustica
- Length: 15-20 cm
- Weight: 15-20 g
- Wingspan: 30-35 cm
Like birds on the list, barn swallows are known for their bright blue feathers. They get their name because they often build their nests beneath the eaves of barns and garages.
15. Steller’s Jay
- Scientific name: Cyanocitta stelleri
- Length: 30-35 cm
- Weight: 100-140 g
- Wingspan: 40-50 cm
Steller’s Jays are birds known for their energetic and mischievous behavior. They have brilliant blue coats with broad black accents, making them a true spectacle. These birds are found in the forests of North America and are known for raiding campgrounds and picnic areas.
16. Plumbeous Water Redstarts
- Scientific name: Rhyacornis fuliginosa
- Length: 10-15 cm
- Weight: 15-25 g
- Wingspan: 20-25 cm
The Plumbeous Water Redstart is a small, brightly colored bird found in the mountains of Central Asia. Its bright blue feathers make this bird easily distinguishable from other birds in its habitat. It is known for its acrobatic flying ability.
17. Black-throated Blue Warbler
- Scientific name: Setophaga caerulescens
- Length: 10-15 cm
- Weight: 10 g
- Wingspan: 15-20 cm
The Black-throated Blue Warbler is a small songbird with blue plumage and black markings. This bird can be found in North America and is known for its distinctive song.
18. Northern Parula
- Scientific name: Setophaga americana
- Length: 12 cm
- Weight: 5-12 g
- Wingspan: 17 cm
The combination of yellow and bright blue is a show-stopper. The Northern Parula is a small swallow known for its beautifully colored plumage.
19. Mexican Jays
- Scientific name: Aphelocoma wollweberi
- Length: 27-32 cm
- Weight: 100-135 g
- Wingspan: 40-50 cm
Jays are one of the most common types of blue birds. The Mexican Jay is a beautiful example, with its brilliant blue feathers and black markings. These birds are all known for their vibrant blue feathers and distinctive behaviors.
20. Cerulean Warblers
- Scientific name: Setophaga cerulea
- Length: 12 cm
- Weight: 10 g
- Wingspan: 20 cm
Cerulean is one of the gorgeous shades of blue. The Cerulean Warbler is a small songbird with beautiful blue highlights, making it one of the most distinctive birds in its habitat. These birds can be found in North America and are known for their beautiful singing.
21. Belted Kingfishers
- Scientific name: Megaceryle alcyon
- Length: 30-35 cm
- Weight: 150-180 g
- Wingspan: 50-60 cm
This proud fish has a unique haircut and combination of dark blue, white, brown, and black feathers. The Belted Kingfisher is a water bird found throughout North America, where it hunts for fish in rivers and lakes. With its bold blue feathers, the Belted Kingfisher is a true force to be reckoned with.
22. Little Blue Heron
- Scientific name: Egretta caerulea
- Length: 56-74 cm
- Weight: 400 g
- Wingspan: 100 cm
Herons are some of the most striking hunters in the avian world. Herons strut around on their long legs. The Little Blue Heron is one of the most recognizable birds in its habitat, with brilliant blue feathers and a uniquely shaped beak.
23. Blue Heron
- Scientific name: Ardea herodias
- Length: 95-140 cm
- Weight: 2.1-2.5 kg
- Wingspan: 180-240 cm
The Blue Heron is a majestic hunter found throughout North America. With its long legs and piercing blue feathers, this heron is a formidable sight in the wild. Whether it’s hunting for fish, birds, or small mammals, the Blue Heron is a force to be reckoned with.
24. Western Bluebird (Small Blue Finch like bird)
- Scientific name: Sialia mexicana
- Length: 16-19 cm
- Weight: 24-31 g
- Wingspan: 30-33 cm
One of the most cheerful birds in North America, the Western Bluebird is a small songbird with vibrant blue feathers and bright orange markings. You can see this star singer across the western US and Canada, where it feeds on insects and berries.
25. Painted Bunting
- Scientific name: Passerina ciris
- Length: 13 cm
- Weight: 15 g
- Wingspan: 22 cm
The Painted Bunting is one of the most colorful birds on this list. In addition to a bright blue head, it has every color of the rainbow, including red, yellow, orange, black, and green! This unique bird looks like a color palette. It only develops this crazy color combination in the second year of its life.
26. Eurasian Blue Tit
- Scientific name: Cyanistes caeruleus
- Length: 12 cm
- Weight: 11g
- Wingspan: 18 cm
The Eurasian Blue Tit is a common bird found throughout Europe and Asia. With its bright blue feathers and small size, it is an adorable and easy-to-spot member of the avian world.
Wrap Up
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just starting, birds with blue feathers are sure to delight and amaze. Each of these birds has distinct characteristics and behaviors that make them unique, from stunning colors to melodious calls.