Bird-watching is such a fun activity. Who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by flying beauty?

For all birdwatchers out there, we’ve rounded up the top 20 gorgeous birds you’ll ever see.

Some of the most beautiful birds in the world include the Nicobar pigeon, bluebird of paradise, scarlet macaw, flamingo, blue jay, and mandarin duck, to mention a few.

Very few creatures are as lovely as birds, with their vibrant colors and patterns. Though not all species have the genetic advantage, many of them do.

Read on to discover these beautiful avian species. Our list includes all vital information on each species, especially where you can find them.

The mandarin duck is a medium-sized perching duck species, which means it is likely to be found perched on trees. 

Its native region is the East Palearctic, which comprises North Africa, all of Europe, and Asia. 

It wasn’t a native of Great Britain, but it was introduced there after a while. A smaller population can be found in North America as well.

The mandarin duck captures the eye the minute you see it. Males are the more colorful sexes, but overall you’ll find both a delight to watch. 

These birds combine different colors—like purple, white, orange, and red—to make up a lovely whole. The main features include purple breasts, a red bill, and a green tail. 

These birds are usually quite shy, especially when compared to the bolder behaviors of other duck species. That said, taming by humans can make them more courageous. 

In looks, they are often compared with the wood duck, which is on this list too. The Mandarin duck is usually in pairs, making it a symbol of love.

Best Places to See the Mandarin Duck:

• Wuyuan, China
• Takaragaike Park, Kyoto, Japan
• Windsor Great Park, Southern England 
• California, United States

Related: Check Out These Amazing Birds with Mohawks

The Nicobar lives majorly on the Island, which bears its name, the Nicobar Islands. 

It can also be found in some islands and coastal regions like the Malay archipelago, the Solomons, and Palau. 

The Nicobar pigeon is listed as Near Threatened because of the high level of hunting done against it, but it remains the only surviving member of its genus. 

The Nicobar pigeon is a large bird, getting up to 16 inches in length. Coupled with the iridescent feathers, this bird is hard to miss. 

It also comes with a grey head, white tail, and an overall green plumage. Females are slightly smaller than males, and there are some differences in coloration. 

A very vocal bird, the Nicobar pigeon emits a low-pitched call. It usually roams in flocks, going from Island to Island. 

It isn’t shy, so you can see it around places humans live. 

Best Places to See the Nicobar Pigeon:

• Milwaukee County Zoo, Wisconsin, United States 
• Islands (Solomons, Nicobar…)

The blue jay is classified as a passerine bird, also known as a perching bird, because of its ability to perch.

It belongs to the Corvidae family and is native to eastern North America. 

There is a good number in the United States, usually in the eastern and central regions. You can also find a lot in Canada.

The blue jay is similar to the morning skies in its color combination. This bird is predominantly blue—as the name shows—especially in the upper parts. 

The chest is white, the collar is black, and the crest is blue. Males and females are alike. 

The name jay comes from the bird’s nature. This isn’t a quiet, shy creature. 

The blue jay is very noisy and gregarious, a trait that applies to all birds of the same family.

Related: These Beautiful Purple Birds are a Sight to Behold

The scarlet macaw is a parrot that can be found in Central and Southern America. 

It is easily recognized by the color combination of red, yellow and blue, and with a length of 32 inches, it is bigger than many other parrot species out there. 

It also has broad wings. Amongst macaws, it is the most striking.

Just as its name implies, this bird’s plumage is mostly scarlet, but the wing feathers feature different colors like red, yellow, blue, and even green on some individuals. 

The tail is long, making up about half of the total length. Altogether, the scarlet macaw is like a flying rainbow.

These birds are also easy to find in their various habitats. They make different vocal sounds like a squawk, a scream, or a squeak. 

Their preferred habitats include woodlands, subtropical rainforests, and savannahs. 

Best Places to See the Scarlet Macaw:

• Carrara Reserve, Jaco
• Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula 

Flamingos are birds belonging to the family Phoenicopteridae, and there are six species in existence.

Four of these species are distributed around the Americas; the last two live in Africa, Europe, and Asia. 

A group of flamingos is called a flamboyance, and for good reasons. This bird is very flamboyant.

The most noticeable physical trait of the flamingo is the pink color. It also has a black bill, long legs, and an equally long neck. 

These birds are categorized as wading birds alongside some others, like storks and herons. 

Wading birds are known to glide over shorelines, hence their names. 

Flamingos tend to stand on one leg, a good way to distinguish them from other birds. 

No one is quite sure why they do this, but some theories abound. One such is that it helps conserve heat. 

Best Places to See the Flamingo:

• Paracas National Reserve, Peru
• Renaissance Island, Aruba 
• Lake Bogoria, Kenya
• Lake Qarun, Egypt

Related: Discover Amazing African Safari Birds

The Blue Bird-of-Paradise is a large, beautiful species, one that comes with striking plumage that is attractive. 

Its physical characteristics make it one of the most extravagant and fabulous birds in the world. 

It is the only species in the genus Paradisornis. The bird is considered Near Threatened because of habitat loss and hunting. 

The first defining feature of the blue bird-of-paradise is the blue wings, which are present in both sexes. 

They both also have an equally blue tail which can come in different shades. 

Every other part of the male body is usually black, with white crescents surrounding the eyes. 

The female’s underparts are colored chestnut brown. Males have flank plumes that are used to attract females. 

Many experts and laypeople consider this bird the most beautiful in the world. 

While that may be subjective, one can’t deny that the blue bird of paradise reminds you a little of paradise. 

Best Places to See the Blue Bird-of-Paradise:

• Mount Sisa, Papua New Guinea
• Owen Stanley Range

The Golden pheasant is also known as the Chinese pheasant and the rainbow pheasant, and it is a native of China.

It is classified under the game bird order, which incorporates chickens, turkeys, and some other birds that stay more on the ground.

This bird bears some resemblance to the chicken, though they are not identical.  

Males are more colorful than females, the latter having a mottled brown plumage that pales in comparison to the flashy colors of their male counterparts.

The male has a long tail, longer than its upper body length. 

Its overall plumage color is a bright red, supplemented by others like gold, black, green, and orange. Both genders have yellow legs and yellow bills. 

Besides China, the golden pheasant has been introduced in other European and American countries like the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Germany, Belgium, and a list of many others. 

Best Places to See the Golden Pheasant:

• Wolong National Nature Reserve, China 
• Changqing Nature Reserve, China 
• Tangjahe Nature Reserve, China 

The red-necked tanager is a part of the Thraupidae family, and while not much is known about it, it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful birds you’ll see.

The red-necked tanager is a South American bird living in Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil. 

The overall color of the red-necked tanager is green, but there are many other combinations.

As the name states, its neck is red. Additional colors include black, a blue head, and a throat. 

The blue crown pigeon is also known as the Western crowned pigeon or the common crowned pigeon.

It is one of the largest pigeons in the world, alongside birds like the Victoria crowned pigeon, the Sclater crowned pigeon, and the Scheepmaker crowned pigeon. 

Just one look at this bird is enough to conclude that the blue crown pigeon is a beautiful bird.

It is predominantly blue, even around its eyes, though there are shades of grey around it.

Both the male and female are similar in looks, but the male is bigger. These birds are vulnerable, but seeing them is worth it. 

Best Places to See the Blue Crown Pigeon:

• Lowland rainforest of New Guinea 

The peafowl is the collective name for these extravagant birds that are classified in the genera Pavo and Afropavo, all under the family Phasianidae.

While both sexes are sometimes called peacocks, in the actual sense, only the male peafowl is called a peacock. 

There are three species, two of which are in Asia and the third in Africa.

There’s a reason the expression “as proud as a peacock” exists. These birds are beautiful and seem to know it, judging by the display of their “tails.”

The latter is more accurately called a train and is found in males. The train is made of feather coverts and is iridescent.

When the bird opens the train, you will see eyespots marking the feathers.

They seem to do this to attract females, but it may also be a display of strength. 

Not all males of different species can display their tail feathers, though. The Congo peacock doesn’t do this. 

Best Places to See the Peafowl

• Kanha National Park, India
• Sariska Tiger Reserve, India
• Mayfield Park, Austin 

The red-crested turaco is a native of Angola, the only place it can be found. 

It is classified as a turaco, a group of birds with similar characteristics like eating plantain. 

Turacos are found in Africa, including the red-crested. The latter is often seen in a flock or a pair and is a remarkable bird.

The predominant color of the red-crested bird is green, and only the crest is colored red. 

The upper parts are a darker green than the lower region, and the face is white. 

It is usually compared to another bird known as the Bannerman’s Turaco, but there are a couple of differences. 

Unlike some other birds we’ve seen, the differences between the sexes are minimal.

The red-crested turaco is the national bird of Angola. Its call is like that of an 

The horned sungem is a hummingbird species, and like all hummingbirds, it is eye-catching. 

It is mostly found in South America, especially in places like Bolivia, Brazil, and Suriname. 

It is the only member of its genus and has no subspecies. 

The major physical feature of the horned sungem is the feathers at the top of the head that look like horns. It also comes in different colors, including black, red, blue, and gold. Females don’t have horns, though, and they are less colorful. 

It inhabits woodlands, grasslands, forests, and gardens. 

Best Places to See the Horned Sungem:

The snowy owl is of the true owl family, and it also goes by other names like the Artic owl, the polar owl, and the white owl.

It is from the Artic tundra regions found both in North America and the Palearctic.

Snowy owls became popular thanks to Hedwig in Harry Potter, and many who owling seek a chance to sight a snowy owl.

This bird is majorly white, but only a few individuals are fully so. Males tend to be whiter than females, but most of them have black spots that tend to reduce as they grow older.

Snowy owls are also quite large, making it easy to sight them. 

They also have a set of behaviors that distinguish them from other owls. For Text, they are diurnal.

Snowy owls have seasons of migration where they move towards other regions, including different cities in the United States. 

Best Places to See the Snowy Owl:

• Salisbury State Park
• Plum Island
• Duxbury Beach 

The Azure kingfisher is spread out in different countries like Australia, Indonesia, and some islands (New Guinea and Romang). 

It is also known as the blue kingfisher because of its predominantly blue color. It is both beautiful and an excellent hunter. 

Females are heavier than males, but both sexes are similar. The azure kingfisher is colored blue with the back being azure. 

There’s also a white spot on the neck and throat, then the red feet. This bird is often silent but sometimes makes a sharp call. 

Best Places to See the Azure Kingfisher:

• Northern and Eastern Australia
• Moluccas and lesser Sundaes 

The Atlantic Puffin is also known as the common puffin, and it is a seabird species. 

This bird has an extended range that covers different continents, from Europe to North America. 

It is related to two other puffin species known as the tuftin puffin and the horned puffin, all under the same genus. 

It is the only puffin that stays close to the Atlantic ocean. Others are found in the northeastern Pacific.

The Atlantic Puffin is sometimes termed the “sea parrot” because it resembles parrots, especially at the level of the beak. 

Its coloration is similar to that of the penguin, with black upperside and white underneath. 

Males are slightly larger than females, but overall they are identical. The wings are short, and the bill is multicolored, adding to the appeal. 

Best places to see the Atlantic Puffin: 

• Island of Maine
• Lundy, England
• Nuuk, Greenland 

The keel-billed toucan is also known as the rainbow-billed toucan and the sulfur-breasted.

It is of the toucan family and is located in South America, especially in countries like Colombia and Mexico. 

True to its name, the standout feature of this toucan is the multicolored bill. 

The latter is quite long, adding to the keel-billed toucan’s overall length. 

The plumage is black, but the neck and chest are yellow. It spends a lot of time on trees and can be found in rainforest habitats. 

It has a peculiar sound, more like a frog croaking than a bird chirping. 

Best Places to See the Keel-billed toucan:

• Mountains of the central valley, Costa Rica 
• Tortuguero National Park 

The wood duck is a perching duck species because of its ability to perch on trees—an ability all perching ducks have.

The wood duck is one of the most colorful birds you’d find in North America, where it is a native. 

Another name for the wood duck is the Carolina duck. 

Males are the more colorful gender, similar to what we’ve seen with other species on here. 

Their plumage is multicolored and Iridescent, with a white neck. The eyes are red, but not in a scary way.

Altogether, the colors come together to make the drake look beautiful. The female is less colorful but has her appeal. 

Best Places to See the Wood Duck:

• Swamps
• Wood fringed marshes
• Beaver ponds 

The bohemian waxwing is often found in the Palearctic forests or North America. 

It is a perching bird like some aforementioned species and can further be classified into three subspecies. 

In looks, it is often compared to the Japanese waxwing, a relative, while in size, it is similar to the common starling.

The two main colors of the Bohemian waxwing are brown or grey, and one quick way to identify this bird is with the crest on the head. 

The wings are black with feather markings that are yellow and white. Males and females are similar but have a few differences.

Best Places to See the Bohemian Waxwing: 

• Palearctic forests
• North America 

The hyacinth macaw is a native of central and South America. 

It is the longest parrot species in the world and no doubt one of the most beautiful. 

The hyacinth macaw is also the largest macaw and the largest flying parrot. These are a lot of achievements for one bird.

This bird is predominantly blue, though the neck of some individuals is gray.

The bill is also gray, while there’s yellow at the eye rings and underneath the bill. The eyes themselves are black. 

The hyacinth macaw is often compared to Lear’s macaw, but the size makes a clear difference. 

The bird is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN due to habitat loss. 

Best Places to See the Hyacinth Macaw: 

• Rainforests in Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay
• Barba Azul Nature Reserve 

The rainbow lorikeet is so named because of the multiple colors on its plumage, and it is the only parrot species that can be found in Australia. 

The rainbow features give it a well-deserved place on our list.  It often moves in pairs, and seeing them is a birdwatching treat.

The rainbow lorikeet is medium-sized and stands out because of its plumage. 

The latter comes with a color combination of green, orange, yellow, and blue. 

There’s also black on the beak of the young juvenile, which then turns to yellow. 

Best Places to See the Rainbow Lorikeet:

• Centennial Parkland, Sydney 
• Thala Beach Nature Reserve, Australia 

Birdwatching can be a fun activity, and with so many beautiful bird species, it’s not hard to see why!

Don’t miss the opportunity to view some of nature’s best artworks in the birds we’ve listed.

Know any other beautiful birds that we might have missed? Let us know in the comments below!

Facts Sources: