▲Found as far north as southern Canada and as far south as Guatemala, it's the male northern cardinal that has the characteristic salmon-colored coat.

▲A resident of the Amazon rain forest, this large bird is known for its curly crest of feathers, as if recently permed at the local hairdressers.

▲The bristles that fringe its bill give this small East African bird its name (barbet). It nests in tunnels burrowed out from the ground.

▲Both male and female of the species sport a white mustache—a unique feature of this seabird that's found along the coasts of Peru and Chile.

▲A resident of Australia, this is one of the most peculiar birds in the country. Only males have this vibrant blue plumage, and only when breeding. Otherwise both male and female are rather drab in hue.

▲Resembling an elaborate kite in flight, adult breeding males are distinguished by white and orange shoulders. The bird is a resident in several African countries, including Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Zambia, South Africa, and Swaziland.

▲A black face, distinctive crest, and patterned wings of white and bright yellow help identify this resident of the northern forests of Eurasia and North America.

▲This is a small migratory bird that in winter can be found in southern Mexico and in some areas of the southern US. The deep flaming orange plumage is only seen in the male of the species. Females have a yellowish head and gray wings.

▲Singular in looks and in plumage decoration, this is indeed a magnificent bird. It's noted for its sickle-like central tail plumes.

▲Catching flies and other insects in paradise is what this agile species with elongated tail feathers does very well.

▲Found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, this nimble bird's characteristic eye mask gives it a somewhat shifty look.

▲These colorful birds are native to western China but can also be found in other countries, including the United Kingdom.

▲A species of parrot found in Australia, this dazzling bird certainly lives up to its name and is one of the most colorful creatures in the animal kingdom.

▲This handsome bird is widespread and is often spotted on golf courses throughout southern Spain and Portugal.

▲This comical-looking sea bird feeds mainly on fish, and its bright red feet and colorful beak are its most distinctive features. This is the only species of penguin found in the Atlantic Ocean.

▲This sleek, super-fast bird is distinguished by its brilliant green-blue coat. It's widely distributed across Eurasia and North Africa.

▲Common in India and Sri Lanka, this large bird is easily recognized due to the unique shape of its beak. Some indigenous tribes believe that possessing a skull from the Malabar pied hornbill attracts wealth.

▲Native to eastern and southern India, these graceful birds birds boast a crown of stiff golden feathers.

▲This bird loves to feasts on bees, but also snaps up other insects. Found in southern Europe and in parts of North Africa, it is a richly colored species, as are most other bee-eaters.

▲A South American hummingbird, the horned sungem's beautiful crown looks like a fashionable cloth cap worn back-to-front.

▲This is the most beautiful pigeon species in the world. Native to New Guinea, it's named in commemoration of British monarch Queen Victoria.

▲Native to southern Mexico and Central America, this hummingbird is the largest of its species found outside South America.

▲One of the most beautiful birds featured in this gallery, the quetzal is found in the tropical forests of Central America. The national bird of Guatemala, this species is classified as near threatened due to habitat loss.

▲Native to central and eastern South America, this is the largest parrot by length in the world. And like many of its species, the hyacinth macaw is blessed with vibrant plumage.

▲One of the most colorful North American waterfowl, the wood duck does indeed waddle around in wooded swamps and is often seen perching in trees.

▲In fact several shades of blue distinguish this jaunty member of the crow family, which is native to North America.

▲This is the national bird of Belize, but is much loved across all of Latin America. Just look at that bill!

▲Its striking plumage and worldwide appeal has made this large red, yellow, and blue Central and South American parrot one of the most popular birds on the planet.

▲This technicolor bundle is known for its array of color, hues that include turquoise, green, black, lilac, blue, and white. It's extremely agile and aerobatic in the air.

▲This delicate, predominantly green bee-eater is nonetheless named for its facial coloration, which makes it look like it's spilled wine down its front.

▲Also known as the rainbow finch for obvious reasons, the finch is in fact named after a man, the British ornithological artist John Gould (1804–1881) though he was often assisted by his wife, Elizabeth.

▲Native to East Asia but today seen in open water across many parts of the world, this good-looking duck represents peace, affection, and fidelity in China, Korea, and Japan.

▲This dainty South American bird is tricolor in appearance, with an orange scarf wrapped around what appears to be a very cold crown.

▲Living high up in the Amazon rain forest canopy, these amazing bright-turquoise birds with their wine-red throats are rarely seen.

▲This small but vibrant parrot is regularly spotted in the mountain forests and gardens of southeastern Australia and New Zealand.

▲Only the male of this native North American species sports this exceptionally beautiful mix of colors. It's not called a painted bunting for nothing!

▲Despite its bright colors, this little charmer is secretive and easily overlooked. Head for Australia's Great Victoria Desert for a chance of spotting one of these shy creatures.

▲Brilliantly multicolored, these delightful songbirds call the Amazon Basin home.

▲Speaking of romance, this gleaming woodnymph is bound to catch your eye with its violet crown, shiny green throat, and blue-black tail.

▲Another exotic bird with a tail to tell, this Central American native has tail feathers shaped like rackets, which it uses in a wonderful wag display during courtship.

▲Who said pigeons were only gray and drab? The nicobar's incandescent plumage radiates a metallic copper-green hue. You'll have to travel to the remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands, or Malay Archipelago to admire it.

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The stork-billed kingfisher takes no prisoners! If you end up skewered on the end of that crimson club-like bill, you're chick feed.

Sources: (AMNH)

▲Closely related to American flamingo and greater flamingo, and endowed with the same beautiful rose-pink plumage, this particular species is classified as near threatened.

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Does it get more romantic than this? These oh-so-pretty members of the parrot family simply melt your heart. They are native to northeast Tanzania.

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Another bird-of-paradise with sensational curved tail feathers is this one. Pictured is the male, with its naked blue head—so vivid it's visible at night!

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Even the keenest ornithologist will need a sharp eye to spy this jazzy little bird. It tends to hide in the undergrowth, foraging on insects in leaf litter.

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A leggy beauty found in the southeastern states of the US, parts of Mexico and Central America, as well as in the Caribbean, this swamphen is named after its shimmering purple-blue plumage.

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Sleek and psychedelic, this is the only species of bee-eater found in Australia.

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An iridescent blue-green crown and a wide triangle-shaped turquoise breast shield distinguishes the male of this species. They are found in New Guinea and Australia's Cape York Peninsula.

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The bird-of-paradise species is known for its elaborate courtship rituals, and the acrobatic dance of this astonishing bird is among one of the most enchanting in the animal kingdom.

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A gorgeous member of the hummingbird family, this solitary bird astounds with razor-like azure tail feathers.

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Found munching on bugs in numerous African countries, this bird looks like it's dipped its head in ink.

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Another New Guinea stunner, this is the largest member of the bird-of-paradise family.

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No less attractive is this long-tailed and equally ornamental bird-of-paradise—lesser only in name!

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Another member of the ornamental bird-of-paradise family, the fabulous ribbon-tailed astrapia features a pair of tail feathers that can reach over 1 m (3.28 ft) in length.

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The national bird of Papua New Guinea, this remarkable creature is identified by its peach-brown body and emerald-green throat.

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Instantly recognized for its extraordinary train of eye-spotted feathers, the peafowl (to give its correct name) is found around the world, often roaming wild in zoological gardens. Show-off, or what?

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The animal kingdom never ceases to amaze us with its stunning diversity. The variety of birdlife enriching the planet is particularly breathtaking. Research suggests that there are around 18,000 bird species in the world. Many of these represent some of the snazziest and most flamboyant wildlife out there. But who's got the brightest beak, or the flashiest feathers?

Browse the gallery and take a look at the most colorful and exotic birds on Earth.