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10 Purple Colored Bird Species That You Might See

Lori Vanover

By Lori Vanover

Birds & Blooms Editorial Policies

Published on Jul. 09, 2025

See photos of bird species with purple feathers. Purple colored bird species brighten up the skies and landscapes across America.

1 / 10

254084550 1 Tim Smith Bypc2020, baby swallow
Courtesy Tim Smith

Purple Martin

“I went to Venice Rookery, an Audubon location, hoping for an opportunity to get some great photos of the nesting wading birds as I often am able to get there. Then, I noticed the purple martins nesting in several dozen birdhouses. They were flying all over the place catching food for the babies,” says Birds & Blooms reader Tim Smith. After you see our collection of purple bird photos, check out pictures of small yellow birds.

2 / 10

costa
Courtesy Meagan Wescoat

Costa’s Hummingbird

“I took this picture of this male Costa’s hummingbird during the winter in my backyard. I used my Nikon Coolpix P900 to get this beautiful shot of him. This photo is one of my favorites because it shows all of the details of his amazing gorget. I love how the purple coloring of the bird really stands out,” says reader Meagan Wescoat.

What makes hummingbird feathers so shimmery?

3 / 10

purple finch and goldfinch, purple bird
Courtesy Cathy Biliouris

Purple Finch

“This purple finch and American goldfinch stopped by my backyard at the same time. They looked like they were annoyed with each other and didn’t want to share the feeder!” says reader Cathy Biliouris.

Meet the 3 types of goldfinches in the United States.

4 / 10

Common grackle
Courtesy Stuart Fiedler

Common Grackle

“When the light hits just right, you’ll see a common grackle is not a solid black bird,” says reader Stuart Fiedler.

5 / 10

european starling
Courtesy Angela Tarvin

European Starling

“I snapped this magnificently-colored bird during a visit to Central Park in New York City, only to return home and with some quick research find out he and his friends are considered invasive and a nuisance to the park. Sad, as he is a handsome-looking fellow,” says reader Angela Tarvin. Learn more about the European starling.

6 / 10

247219019 1 Johnny Bliznak Bnbhc20
Courtesy Johnny Bliznak

Lucifer Hummingbird

“While I was in the Davis Mountain area photographing hummingbirds, I was fortunate in finding some Lucifer hummingbirds. This shot was my favorite,” says reader Johnny Bliznak.

7 / 10

purple gallinule, purple bird
Courtesy Bob Howdeshell

Purple Gallinule

“This purple gallinule was the first that I had ever seen in full breeding plumage. I took this photo in spring at the Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Florida,” says reader Bob Howdeshell.

8 / 10

Male Varied Bunting, Arizona
drferry/Getty Images

Varied Bunting

The male varied bunting has bold, colorful plumage. Look for this blue, red and purple bird in the southwestern states and in Mexico.

Learn how to identify a colorful painted bunting.

9 / 10

purple bird, violet-crowned hummingbird
Courtesy Joan Purcell

Violet-crowned Hummingbird

“We waited for hours for this little violet-crowned hummingbird to show up in Tucson, Arizona. Our patience paid off! I am amazed he landed on that thorny tree!” says reader Joan Purcell.

10 / 10

violet green swallow, purple bird
Courtesy Amy Atwell

Violet-green Swallow

“I spent a long weekend in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, with my family over the Fourth of July weekend. I spotted this beautiful violet-green swallow on two of my morning walks, perching in the same tree each time. The light hit him just right on this morning to appreciate his full coloration,” says reader Amy Atwell.

Next, check out gorgeous green birds that you might see.

Author
Lori Vanover
Lori Vanover is the senior digital editor for Birds & Blooms. She has a bachelor of science degree in agricultural and environmental communications from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Lori is certified as a Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener and is also a member of the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology. In her spare time she enjo...
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Lori Vanover