What Is The Most Beautiful Bird In The World?

Do you have a favorite?

Male, Resplendent Quetzal

Some people say the Resplendent Quetzal takes the number one spot as the most beautiful bird in the world.

[Across time and cultures, the Resplendent Quetzal has been heralded for its great beauty. With an iridescent green sheen and uppertail covert feathers longer than its entire body, the bird has attracted much attention from pre-Columbian peoples, ornithologists, collectors, market hunters, and birders. Skutch (1944) described the male Resplendent Quetzal as "a supremely lovely bird; the most beautiful, all things considered, that I have ever seen.”]

On our first trip to Costa Rica, in 2008, we saw the Resplendent Quetzel along with many more beautiful birds.

On Saturday we’ll be flying down to Costa Rica for our fourth trip to this amazing country.  We’ll be in an area we have never been to before as well as re-visiting two places from past trips.

Do I think there is one “most beautiful” bird in the world? 

I have two answers to that question.  The first answer is absolutely not - I have seen many beautiful birds and there is no way to pick just one.

My second answer is:  Yes, there is one “most beautiful” bird in the world and I have yet to see it.  That is why I keep looking.

Here are a few bird pictures from our past trips.  In a couple of weeks, we’ll have many more - stay tuned.

Green Violetear

Yellow-throated Toucan 

Violet Sabrewing

Crimson-collared Tanager

Montezuma Oropendola

Collared Aracari 

Teri