Purple Birds

Here's a list of all the UK Purple Birds:

Stock Dove

Stock Doves present a charming picture with their blue-grey plumage, highlighted by a captivating iridescent green band around the neck and a soft pink chest.

When in flight, their beauty is accentuated by black wing edges and two partial black bands near the back. Unlike their cousins, the Rock Doves/Feral Pigeons, they don’t flaunt pale rumps.

Differences Between Male And Female Stock Doves

Interestingly, male and female Stock Doves are quite similar in appearance, making it a bit of a challenge to distinguish between them at first glance.

Starling

Starlings are often mistaken for blackbirds due to their similar size. However, these birds are distinguished by their shorter tails, pointed heads, and triangular wings.

At a distance, Starlings may appear black, but a closer look reveals a glossy sheen with hints of purple and green. Their feathers are speckled, particularly visible in their brown winter plumage adorned with bright white spots.

Starlings are known for their confident walk and run on the ground, and their flight is characterised by its speed and directness.

Differences Between Male and Female Starlings

Male and female Starlings can be differentiated by subtle changes in their beak colour. While both sexes have yellow beaks, the male’s beak turns black during the winter. Additionally, the females tend to have a slightly duller hue in their plumage compared to the males.

Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon

Rock Doves, commonly known as Feral Pigeons, are a familiar sight with their varied palette of colours. Their plumage ranges from shades of blue to black, pale grey with chequered patterns, and even unique tones of brick-red or cinnamon-brown. Some may closely resemble their wild counterparts, the wild Rock Doves.

Differences Between Male and Female Rock Doves

Males and females of this species show little distinction in appearance, making them less sexually dimorphic compared to other birds. Generally, males may exhibit slightly more intense iridescence on their necks and are a bit larger in size than females.

Purple Sandpiper

The Purple Sandpiper is a robust, medium-sized wader, presenting a charming contrast with its dark upper body and lighter underparts. With a length of about 20-22cm, they’re slightly larger than a Dunlin.

Their most striking features are the down-curved beak, bright orange legs, and a notable white wing-stripe seen during flight. In winter, their plumage shifts to a mix of brown, grey, and subtle purple tones.

Differences Between Male And Female Purple Sandpipers

Male and female Purple Sandpipers are similar in size and plumage. Identifying them based on external features can be challenging, as both sexes share the same colour patterns and physical characteristics.

Pheasant

Pheasants are large, long-tailed game birds. Males boast a splendid combination of chestnut, golden-brown, and black markings on their bodies and tails. They have a distinctive dark green head and red face wattling.

The females, in contrast, are mottled with paler brown and black, blending seamlessly into the undergrowth.

Differences Between Male And Female Pheasants

There is a striking difference between the sexes. Males are more vividly coloured with longer tails and often larger in size compared to the more subdued, camouflaged females.

Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Ducks are medium-sized and known for their remarkable plumage. Males are particularly striking with their bright colours and ornate feathers, while females are more subdued in colouration.

Differences Between Male And Female Mandarin Ducks

Male Mandarin Ducks exhibit a splendid array of colours, with purple, white, and orange feathers and distinctive orange “sails” on their back. Females are more camouflaged, featuring a mottled brown appearance with subtle white eye-stripes and a pale tip on their bill.

Mallard

Mallards are large, distinctive ducks with a stout body and a broad bill. Males are notable for their striking green heads and yellow bills, while females display a mottled brown plumage with an orange and brown bill.

Differences Between Male And Female Mallards

Males, or drakes, have a vibrant green head and a white ring around their neck, separating the dark chest from the grey body. Females, or hens, have a speckled brown appearance, which provides excellent camouflage.

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