Five Rare Purple Colour Bird Found In India

Bird colours come from pigments and physical feather structures that reflect light. Pigments are chemical compounds like melanin (black, brown, grey) and carotenoids (yellow, orange, red) which are often obtained from their diet. Structural colour happens when the physical arrangement of the feather’s surface scatters light, creating iridescent or non-pigment-based colours like blue.



This pigment is produced by the bird itself and creates black, brown, and grey colours. It also strengthens feathers, which is why flight feathers are often black, even on white birds.


Birds get these pigments from their food, such as fruits and berries. They are responsible for yellow, orange, and red colours. For example, flamingos get their pink colour from pigments .


The physical structure of the feather can scatter light, which creates colours that are not from pigments.



The Nilgiri Flowerpecker is a small bird that sometimes shows a purplish shine in the right light. It primarily inhabits the Western Ghats, where it thrives in shola forests and mountainous areas. You have the best chance of seeing them in places like Ooty, Munnar, Coorg, and Silent Valley, especially when they are feeding on nectar and berries.



The Purple Heron is not completely purple, but it has deep wine and violet colours that make it look impressive. Assam’s Kaziranga National Park’s marshes and water channels are great places to watch these birds hunt in the tall reeds. Their feathers look especially beautiful in the early morning or just before sunset. They are spotted from November to April.



Karnataka’s Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is well known for its river birds, but many visitors miss the Bronze-Winged Jacana. This bird has shiny patches that look purple in the sunlight. Its long toes help it walk easily on floating plants, making it a favourite for photographers. Spot them in winter and early summer.



If you want to see violet-blue birds for sure, visit Chilika Lake in Odisha, which is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon. The Purple Swamphen, with its bright purple feathers and red shield, lives in the lake’s marshy wetlands. You can often see groups of them moving through the reeds or sitting on floating plants. They can be found at the lake from November to February.



The Asian Fairy Bluebird is not completely purple; its deep blue and black feathers often look violet in the forest shade. Thattekad, Kerala’s top bird sanctuary, is an excellent place to spot this beautiful bird. Their unique calls echo through the trees, which helps you find them even when they are hard to see. October to March is the best time to spot these birds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

1. Where purple coloured birds are mainly found ?
   The purple birds are found in Western ghats like Asian fairy bluebird, Himalayan foothills, North east India, Central India forest and wetlands or lakes.
2. Do colourful birds help the environment?
   Yes, they play a vital role in pollination, seed dispersal, insect control and maintain ecological balance.
3. What is the best time to watch colourful birds in India?
   The best time is October to March, when the weather is pleasant and many winter migratory species arrive.
4. Why these birds have purple feather ?
   Many birds develop bright colours due to diet, pigments, sunlight reflection and mating displays. Colourful feathers attract mates and sometimes act as camouflage in forests.