Blue is a rare color in the animal kingdom, especially among birds. Still, several parrots have naturally developed blue plumage. Additionally, selective breeding of certain mutations has also produced blue feathers in some birds.
List of Blue Parrots
Parrots With Mostly Blue Plumage
No parrot can be said to have an all-blue coloration, but a few can have striking blue feathers dominating their plumage with other colors in small parts of their body. The development of such vibrant blue color can be attributed to their environment. Due to their large size and preference for open areas without significant predators, there was less of an evolutionary need for them to develop colors like green to camouflage themselves.
| Name | Length (in) | Weight (oz) | Where They Are From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyacinth Macaw | 35-40 | 42-51 | Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay |
| Lear’s Macaw | 27-29 | 32-34 | Bahia, in north-east Brazil |
Parrots With Partially Blue Plumage
While not completely covered in blue feathers, some parrots have very distinct blue plumage on parts of their bodies. These include:
| Name | Length (in) | Weight (oz) | Where They Are From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue-and-gold Macaw | 30-36 | 28-46 | South America |
| Blue-throated Macaw | 30-33 | 32-39 | Beni, Bolivia |
| White-capped Parrot | 11-12 | 7-8 | The Andes, from Venezuela to Peru |
| Scarlet-chested Parrot | 7-8 | 1-1.4 | Australia |
| Blue-headed Parrot | 9-11 | 8-9 | Amazon Basin |
Parrots With Blue Morphs
Some parrots have developed blue “morphs” as a result of genetic mutations.
- Blue Monk Parakeet
- Blue Budgerigar
- Blue Rose-ringed Parakeet
- Blue Pacific Parrotlet
How Do Blue Parrots Get Their Color
Birds, including parrots, cannot produce blue feathers through diet or the production of psittacofulvins. Instead, blue is a structural color that appears when light interacts with the barbs of their feathers. These feathers contain melanin, a pigment that reflects light at shorter wavelengths, resulting in the feathers appearing blue.
