Nature’s Illusion: Why Most Green Birds Aren’t Actually Green

Do you see that stunning green parrot in your backyard? It’s likely playing a trick on your eyes, and I’m about to tell you why.

Like butterflies, birds bring beauty and grace into our homes. And let’s be honest, the delight in seeing these eye-catching creatures weave their nests nearby, fill our air with melodies, or even fly about our homes is second to none.

But did you know that most of the stunning green birds you’ve seen flying about your home are actually fooling your eyes?

That’s right.

In this blog post, we will explore why most of the birds flaunting the glorious shades of green aren’t actually green. Let’s dive right in!

Why Are Most Green Birds Not Really Green

Birds exude beauty in all sorts of shades and feather patterns. But unlike most bird colors, green shades aren’t green in the real sense. Instead, the green shade is a result of a feathery trickery.

Let me explain.

You see, in the avian kingdom, there are two types of colorations:

●Pigment-based coloration

●Structural coloration

Pigment-Based Coloration

Pigment-based coloration is just what the name says. The shade emanates from pigments, which are chemical compounds that produce color in feathers, beaks, and skin.

These pigments come in three types, each capable of producing different shades of color in birds:

●Melanin

●Carotenoids

●Porphyrins

Melanin, which is usually present in specialized cells called melanocytes, is the pigment responsible for producing brown, black, gray, and dull yellow hues in birds.

Carotenoids, usually obtained from diet, are behind most of the bright reds, oranges, and yellows we see in birds.

Porphyrins, on the other hand, are the reason we see some reds, browns, and even greens — but not the vibrant greens of most “Green” birds.

Structural Coloration

The second type of coloration is quite different from pigment-basec coloration. Known as structural coloration, this phenomenon depends on the magical work of some microscopic structures in the feathers.

These tiny structures are intricately configured in a way that allows them to bend and scatter light, reflecting only some wavelengths into our eyes. This creates the illusion of vibrant colors like green, blue, and sometimes even shimmering iridescence, without any pigment of these colors playing a part.

In essence, structural coloration has nothing to do with having color-producing pigments and everything to do with how the delicately configured microscopic structures in the feathers interact with light.

The Illusion: “Green Birds” That Are Not Actually Green

So, which birds are actually faking it?  Well, almost all of them.

Here are some of the birds that owe their green hue to feather structure instead of pigment:

●Green Jay:

Native to both Central and South America, Green Jay is a smart bird with an excellent ability to mimic other birds. In fact, this species is too clever it has even been spotted using twigs as tools to pry up loose bark in a bid to catch her prey. And those green feathers? Don’t fall for it. It’s a trickery created when light bounces off them.

●Amazon Parrot:

Bold, chatty, and comical, these medium-sized birds are often considered “the life of the rainforest party”. They’re full of personality and beauty, and they aren’t shy to showcase it in the wild. But their spectacular green color isn’t as true as their personality.

●Rose-ringed Parakeet: 

You’ll see this vibrantly bright green bird mostly in gardens, woodlands, and parks, and especially in some regions of Africa and Asia. It’s easier to overlook, especially when quiet, because the green plumage perfectly blends in with foliage. Even so, this hue is a result of light reflection and not the bird’s actual color.

●Resplendent Quetzal:

It’s also known as the Guatemalan quetzal and is the national symbol of Guatemala. Thanks to the shimmering plumage, many consider it the world’s most beautiful bird. Even so, it’s still one of the birds whose feathers bend light just right to create a false green in our eyes.

●Green Heron:

The green hue in this bird isn’t as vibrant as in other birds. Instead, it comes blended with blue, although it’s still not the actual bird’s color like all our predecessors.

And, of course, we can’t exhaust the list. We still have lots of other green birds that are actually not green. The Nicobar pigeon, Indian peafowl, European starling, male mallard duck, and violet-green swallow are other classic examples, to mention but a few.  

Birds That Are Actually Green

While numerous green birds create the green color through illusion, there’s an exemption: The turacos. This species, unlike all other greenish birds, has a true green in their feathers, thanks to the unique pigment called turacoverdin.

Turacoverdin is the compound responsible for giving turacos the actual green color that remains green even when viewing the bird in low light or after molting. In fact, if you picked up a turaco feather on the ground, it would still be green days or even weeks later.
Why The Illusion Is Important

So, of what essence is this illusion? Does it help these birds in any way, or is it meant to merely trick our eyes without playing any significant role in the ecosystem?
Well, there are several benefits in displaying this false green color.

Here are a few:

●Camouflage: The green color makes it easy for these birds to blend perfectly into leafy canopies. This makes them harder to spot, keeping them safe from potential predators.

●Attraction: You see how you might dress your best when going out on a first date? That’s the same with these birds. The vibrant green colors are naturally attractive to their potential mates.

●Durability: Structural color, unlike the pigment-based color, doesn’t fade easily. It stays vibrant and attractive even under harsh sun, keeping these birds fabulous for longer.

Ultimately, there are numerous benefits that green birds get by displaying the false color. That means the color isn’t false at all when it comes to function. It’s a smart and a stylish advantage in the wild. 

Why Do Most “Green” Birds Lose Their Green?

Most green feathers lose their green when detached from the bird because creating the green color effect relies on a fragile positioning of the feather. When this positioning is tampered with, the feather can no longer reflect light in a way that creates the illusion, and so the green disappears like magic.

In some cases, you’ll notice that some green birds lose their green after molting. It’s all because of how the new feathers are formed and positioned. As long as the positioning is slightly off, it becomes impossible to reflect light in a way that creates the magic.

Still, sunlight can break down the structures responsible for reflecting the light. When that happens, they can no longer perform the light trickery effectively, and so the green plumage may appear fade.

Conclusion

Green birds are undeniably beautiful. However, except for turaco, all other birds that appear green aren’t actually green. It’s a combination of design, light, and structure working together to deliver that green color effect on our eyes. And they don’t just do it for fancy or aesthetic reasons: Faking the green color helps them camouflage with their leafy surroundings, attract mates, among other reasons.