A must-have reference that enables birders of any level to identify each bird by its color.

Cardinals, blue jays, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, ruby-throated hummingbirds, green honeycreepers: color is often the very first feature that captures our attention. Yet only recently have ornithologists begun to unravel the mysteries behind birds’ brilliant plumage and biological processes that produce such vivid hues. Although scientists have made remarkable progress, much of this knowledge remains out of reach for general readers. This book bridges that gap by showcasing the dazzling spectrum of bird coloration and explaining, in clear and accessible language, how birds achieve their remarkable colors. 

Richly illustrated with stunning artwork and photography, the book is divided into two parts. Part One explores the science of color in feathers. Chapters examine how coloration varies within a species and how these variations can signal sex, age, and individual identity. This section also considers how color can function both as camouflage and as a bold display that attracts mates or deters rivals. 

Part Two presents a color-coded gallery of more than 200 species, spanning the spectrum from red to violet—and including brown, black, white, and multicolored birds. Each entry highlights how particular colors arise, explains their biological purpose (whether camouflage, species recognition, or courtship), and features a concise fact file listing common and scientific names, distribution, habitat, size, and coloration.

About The Author

Geoffrey E. Hill is Professor and Curator of Birds at Auburn University, Alabama. He is the author of Bird Coloration (Harvard, 2006), Ivorybill Hunters (Oxford, 2007), Bird Coloration (National Geographic, 2010), and A Red Bird in a Brown Bag (Oxford, 2019), as well as more than 300 scientific articles.