Orange is one of the most beautiful colors, but unfortunately, it is relatively rare in nature. That’s why orange birds are unique and fantastic to see in the wild. Here are 27 orange birds you should look for on your next birdwatching adventure.
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1. Black-Headed Grosbeak
The black-headed grosbeak is a stunning orange bird with black wings and a black head. They can be found in western North America, typically preferring wooded areas near water sources. These birds are known for their beautiful songs and ability to mimic the sounds of other animals.
They also have an unusual feeding behavior – they often hang upside down from branches to reach their food. Keep an eye out for these orange beauties while birdwatching in forests or parks.
2. Northern Red Bishop
The Northern Red Bishop is a small orange bird found in Africa. Males have bright orange plumage with black wings and tail, while females are brown with some orange on the wings and tail. They are often found in open grasslands and marshes, foraging for seeds and insects.
3. Tufted Flycatcher
Found in the forests of Central and South America, the Tufted Flycatcher is a small orange bird with black wings and a black tail. The male has orange upperparts and head, while the female has orange on the underparts. They can often be seen perching or hovering to catch
4. Altamira Oriole
Also known as the orange oriole, the Altamira Oriole, you can find them in southern Texas and parts of Mexico. This orange bird stands out with its black hood, wings, and white eye-ring. In addition to their distinct appearance, Altamira Orioles are also known for their unique nest-building behavior. They construct large hanging baskets made of plant fibers and hang them from branches high up in trees.
5. Eurasian Hoopoe
The Eurasian hoopoe, with its bold orange and black stripes, is a striking bird found across Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. It has a long curved bill used for digging through the soil in search of insects to eat. The hoopoe can also be identified by its crest, which it raises when alarmed or during courtship displays.
6. Spot-breasted Oriole
The Spot-breasted Oriole is a tropical orange bird with black wings and tail found in Central America and parts of the Caribbean. Its orange plumage is dotted with black spots on its breast, hence its name. They are known for their unique nesting behavior, as they weave hanging nests made of palm fibers and plant stems. You can see Spot-breasted Orioles in wooded areas near rivers and other bodies of water.
7. Common Redstart
This orange bird is a member of the warbler family, and you can find it in Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. It creates its nest by building cup-shaped structures using moss, grass, and other materials. The male Common Redstart has orange plumage on its chest and tail, while the female’s orange is more subdued.
8. Say’s Phoebe
Say’s Phoebe is a small orange bird found in western North America. The orange coloration on its throat and breast makes it easily identifiable. These birds typically live in open woodlands and can often be spotted near streams or rivers.
9. Brambling
The Brambling is a small orange bird found in Europe, Asia, and parts of North America. It has orange-brown upper features and underparts with black wings and a tail. It can often be seen in flocks foraging on the ground.
10. Black-Vented Oriole
The Black-vented Oriole lives in Mexico and Central America. It has a black mask and wings, with orange on the head, breast, and belly.
These birds are known for their loud calls and aggressive behavior toward other bird species. They primarily eat fruit but will also consume insects and small lizards. Birdwatchers can spot them in open woodlands and forest edges.
11. Bullock’s Oriole
The Bullock’s Oriole is a large orange and black bird in western North America. This bird loves to feast on insects, making it a helpful addition to any garden. Their call sounds like a repeated “che-wee” sound, and they build hanging pouch nests with plant fibers and feathers.
12. Hooded Oriole
The Hooded Oriole is a stunning orange bird that you can identify in the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico. Its orange plumage accents its black wings, tail, and black hood on its head.
13. Stonechat
The Stonechat is a small orange bird with black wings and a white throat. You often see them in heaths and moorlands, where they perch on low bushes to search for insects. Stonechat also has a unique behavior of throwing pebbles in the air to uncover hidden prey.
14. European Robin
The European Robin is also known as the “garden bird” and is easily recognizable by its orange breast and gray back. Often found on lawns or gardens, these birds have a unique behavior of bobbing their tails up and down while singing.
15. Fieldfare
The Fieldfare is an orange-brown thrush found in Europe and parts of Asia. It has orange coloring on the crown, breast, and tail, with a gray breast and white underparts. You can see them in open fields or woodlands foraging for food.
16. Baltimore Oriole
The Baltimore Oriole is a medium-sized orange and black songbird. You can see them in open woodlands and city parks throughout eastern North America.
The male Baltimore Oriole has an orange head, breast, and back with black wings and tail. The female is orange on her wings and tail, with olive-brown on her head and back. Both sexes have pointed bills and white bars on their wings.
17. Red-Flanked Bluetail
Found in Eurasia, the Red-flanked Bluetail is a small orange bird with blue wings and tail. You most commonly see them in coniferous forests. The male has orange underparts and head, while the females are more dull orange-brown.
18. Carolina Wren
Carolina Wrens are small orange birds found in the southern United States. These orange birds have long tails and prominent white eyebrow stripes.
19. American Robin
One orange bird seen all over North America is the American Robin. These birds are notable for their orange breast, black head, and distinctive songs. They are highly social birds, often found in flocks, and known for their worm-eating behavior on lawns.
20. Western Spindalis
The Western Spindalis call Florida and the Caribbean home. These tiny birds have orange stripes on their heads and wings, with black and white markings on their backs. They are omnivorous, feasting on fruits, seeds, insects, and nectar.
21. Veery
The Veery’s orange feathers shine brightly against the green foliage of their forest habitat. These small thrushes are known for their beautiful, flute-like songs and habit of standing upright on branches.
22. Varied Thrush
This orange bird is native to the Pacific Northwest and prefers to forage on the ground for insects and berries. It has a black face with orange cheeks, a rust-colored chest, and orange wings with black spots. Its beautiful orange and grey coloring make it stand out among its thrush relatives.
23. Orchard Oriole
You can see this orange bird in open woodlands, orchards, and parks. It has black wings and white and yellow underparts. Male Orchard Orioles have orange heads and chests, while females have olive-green chests.
24. Eastern Towhee
You can find the Eastern Towhee in the eastern parts of North America. It has a black head and tail, with white spots on its wings, making it easy to identify among other birds. The Eastern Towhee is known for scratching at the ground in search of food rather than picking at leaves, as most birds do.
25. Streak-Backed Oriole
This orange bird is native to Mexico and parts of Central America. Its back feathers have dark streaks, giving it its namesake. It also has a black mask covering its eyes and a long, curved orange bill.
26. Spotted Towhee
The Spotted Towhee is a small orange bird found in the Pacific Northwest forests of the United States and Canada. These birds have black heads and backs with white spots and are known for their loud song and habit of scratching at the ground to uncover insects.
27. Eyebrowed Thrush
The Eyebrowed Thrush, or Turdus obscurus, can be found in Northeast Asia and the Russian Far East. This orange bird has dark stripes on its head and wings, giving it a unique appearance.
Wrap Up
You can watch these orange birds in backyard bird feeders and find them foraging on the ground in search of insects. If you live in their range, keep an ear out for their sweet songs and an eye out for their orange plumage.