Most Colorful Birds on the Planet (And Where to Find Them)

19. Painted Bunting
Latin name: Passerina ciris
Unique colorful feature: Rainbow-colored plumage
Where they are found: Southeastern United States
Size: Length: 4.7 to 6 inches (12 to 15 cm); Weight: 0.46 to 0.7 oz (13 to 20 g); Wingspan: 9 inches (23 cm)
Diet: insects and seeds


A popular visitor at bird feeders in the coastal southeastern United States, the painted bunting is a beauty with his rainbow of colors that range from his bright blue head to red underparts, yellow back, and green wings. And the female is mostly green.
Painted buntings are shy birds and prefer to stay under the cover of trees and shrubs but will come out to bird feeders and to search for grass seeds and insects.

Seasonally monogamous, the males will establish the breeding territory a week before the females arrive. Once the ladies come on the scene, the males go all out to show off their colorful feathers and courtship displays.

The female builds a nest of moss, grass, and twigs where she will brood a clutch of 3 to 5 eggs.