Bird of the Day, theme 'Iridescence'

natureAug 18, 202624518,888

Bird of the Day is a daily community prompt with today’s theme #Iridescence, asking for birds that display color-changing plumage. Contributors are sharing vivid photographs and studies of hummingbirds and starlings plus glossy passerines showing shimmering heads and throats in the right light. Standout subjects include a Violet-backed Starling photographed in Kruger National Park, multiple grackles and a Common Grackle posing atop a fence post, and hummingbirds such as a Shining Sunbeam, Mr. Allen’s Hummingbird, and an Anna’s Hummingbird dated 9-14-25 from Tiburon, California. The alternative theme is Mothers, so look for female birds and nesting scenes alongside the iridescent plumage posts, and join using #Iridescence.

Mike Melton

@mikemelton.bsky.social

Such a great bird, the Violet-backed Starling for #birdoftheday #iridescence Kruger National Park, South Africa #birds #nature

Purple bird with a dark face and white belly perched upright on a branch against a soft green background.

591045d ago

✨️Colette✨️10

That bird is a work of art 😍

Keith7

WOW, that is a regal bird.

Yarbles6

I remember seeing one of these whilst visiting Tanzania, made me question why humanity bothered to leave Africa.

realsandy1

Wow. Who knew such a color existed in birds. (Except for South Africans, of course.) 😉

Helen Bennett 🌿1

Beautiful photo Mike... I have not seen a Violet-backed Starling before, what a wonderful rich iridescent purple colour! 👏

Becky Grambo 🍁1

New bird for me—Wow! 💜

Dennis Waldron

@wphoto.bsky.social

A Grackle showing off his best #Iridescent side. #BirdOfTheDay #grackle #ECK #birds #nature #photography #birdphotography

101745d ago

Peter Watson1

My grackle is saying "Where are my frigging peanuts?"

Kim B1

Wow! I think I'd always assumed from the name that they'd be full and grey...colour me impressed!

paws4justice.bsky.social1

I’d be flaunting this off like I was a runway model.

johnny martin1

the names are as cool as the pics! keep 'em coming Dennis👍

Mark Levine

@marklevinephotos.bsky.social

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Iridescence, any bird with colour changing plumage. Here is a Shining Sunbeam from the cloud forest outside Quito. #shiningsunbeam #hummingbird #birdsofecuador

The back of a Shining Sunbeam shows many colors of the rainbow.

41145d ago

Mr-Write1

Nice! My photo today is from the same place.

Alan H

@alan678.bsky.social

Off to walk Sam folks. Take care of yourselves. Remember: A calm mind knows the difference between what matters and what merely makes noise. So enjoy your day. Back later to help Rob. #BirdOfTheDay #Iridescence #birds #ColorADay #BlueTue #ECK

A striking close-up portrait of a male peacock, showing his vivid iridescent blue and turquoise plumage, distinctive white facial markings, dark expressive eye and long pale beak. His delicate crest feathers fan upward from his head, catching the light with shimmering blue and bronze tones. He stands among lush green foliage and creamy white flower clusters, with a softly blurred natural background creating a beautiful sense of depth.

35645d ago

Den 🇮🇪2

That's great Alan. Such a quite peaceful bird! 😲

Sabine Shutterbug1

This Girl Is on Fire! 👌🫶

Marjo Slingerland-Boks1

Lovely words and beautiful photo Alan💙 I only think the bird is not that calm😅Have a lovely walk with Sam 🤗😘

Niamh Ní Longáin (pronounced ‘Knee-uv’)1

Gorgeous photo and very well said indeed Alan!

Rina1

So true, Alan! Great shot as always 👏👏 Enjoy your walk with Sam 🤗😘

Neil Cameron1

I'll keep those words of wisdom in mind the next time my car starts making evil clattering noises. I'm sure it'll understand, "Alan says you don't matter! So there!" 😁 Have a fun walk.

Kevin Wertman

@kevin.wertman.org

Rob has set the #BirdOfTheDay to #Iridescence, so here's an emerald starling I saw on the Gorilla Falls walk out at Animal Kingdom. #Photography #Birds #Starling

A bird with emerald green metallic feathers with purple on its chest and around its eye stands on a bare branch that runs across the bottom right corner.

32444d ago

swandiveswim.bsky.social

@swandiveswim.bsky.social

#Birds #Warbler Rob Crank @robcrank68.bsky.social says today's #BirdOfTheDay Alt theme is #Mothers, any female bird. An Audubon's Yellow Rumped Warbler taking a moment's rest. Her young are now all quite proficient flyers and can feed themselves. They still travel together in small groups.

A small bird, its head cocked, is perched among dried twigs with sun dappled green in the background. It has a brown head & back, a hint of yellow on the cheek & breast followed by an off white. The wings are charcoal grey with faint white bars.

35045d ago

Emmanuel E.1

𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁! 𝗬𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰, 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲.

Timothy Shamey1

These little guys frequent our yard. I love ‘em.

Rob Crank Photography

@robcrank68.bsky.social

Good morning folks. Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Iridescence, any bird with colour changing plumage. The Alt theme is #Mothers, any female bird. Check the Alt Txt on the female Mandarin for the reason for that Alt Theme. #birds #ECK #photography #CanonR5mkii @rspb.bsky.social #birdphotography

26245d ago

Helen Bennett 🌿6

I won't repeat our chats, but just know I'm thinking of you as you go through such a difficult time, Rob. Look after yourself and your loved ones 🫂💔

Tony Allen-Mills5

Sorry to learn of this Rob. Hope your love of nature helps get yoj through a difficult time.

Justine Jones3

I’m so sorry you and your family are going through this. Your words show how deeply loved she is, and I’m glad she’s being kept comfortable and surrounded by the people who care about her most. Sending you all strength, love, and peace in the days ahead.

Graham Jones2

Rob, I'm so sorry to hear the news about your MIL. These are stressful times for our extended family. Take care.

Mr Garden2

I am really sorry to read about your mother and mother in law. Mothers are the greatest treasure that we have. Sending you lots of love and hugs. 🫂 ❤️

Vicki2

Thank you for sharing you beautiful photos and personal heartache. Wishing you and your family comfort at this difficult time.

Neil Cameron

@neilcam57.bsky.social

Rob Crank Photography's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Iridescence Rainbow Bee-Eater (Merops ornatus) Long Pocket, Brisbane #ECK #birds #birdphotography #birdsofbluesky #wildlife #nature #Photography #Nikon #PhotographersUnited #PhotographersOfBlueSky

27145d ago

Alan H1

Just fabulous Neil. What a terrific capture.

Helen Bennett 🌿1

Great capture, Neil 👏 ✨️

J.P. Williams1

A black mask *and* red eyes. Definitely a baddie!

Cheech1

Always love a Bee-Eater. Lovely photo.

Scarlett

@wirewrapandweaveit.bsky.social

Good morning my friends, I hope that your day is a beautiful one 😊! #BirdOfTheDay #Iridescence #birds #bluejay

27445d ago

Hippomancer101

Amazing shot of the Bluejay you got there!

DebDebz

@debdebz.bsky.social

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Iridescence, any bird with colour changing plumage. Superb Fairywren with iridescent blue breeding plumage #birds #birdphotography #BirdsOfAustralia #ProtectBirdHabitat #EastCoastKin

23945d ago

Cri 🕊🐝🐜📝🎭⚽😷

@crawlieswithcri.bsky.social

Alan H says the #BirdOfTheDay theme today is #StrikeAPose — Birds caught in a particularly photogenic pose. Mr. Varied Thrush demonstrates their classic defense pose! #birds #becurious🪶

22845d ago

James Petruzzi7

I thought that was the "warning, I'm about to jazz hands my wings" pose? :)

Mael Brigde - 𝘢𝘬𝘢 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘺 🇨🇦1

This is MY classic defense pose: 🫥

Itisme1

I loved seeing them arrive in the yard and flipping the fallen leaves off our kiwi. We no long have the arbour and the kiwi that grew around it. I wonder if they are unimpressed with our decision.

patricknearyart.bsky.social1

The callings and vocalizations between the members of an active flock of varied thrush is one of the greatest and strangest events you will ever hear.

Lauren

@tinylongwing.bsky.social

Today's #BirdOfTheDay prompt is #iridescence - which is one of my favorite things to paint, so how can I choose? But this photo study of a Trumpet Manucode was specifically just so I could paint this very topic! #BirdArt #SciArt 🪶

Illustration of a Trumpet Manucode, a bird-of-paradise species, based on a photo by Laurie Ross. The bird is calling toward its left, and has a bright red eye. Its neck, back, and wings are covered in brilliant iridescent turquoise and purple feathers.

19145d ago

Ren Varela2

Yessss, iridescent feathers are amazing. Great job capturing them here! ✨

Alan H1

My lord, you are such a talent Lauren. Wow!!!

Jamie Scott 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@jcsctoan.bsky.social

Today's #BirdofTheDay theme is #Iridescence any bird with colour changing plumage. Starling taken at my local nature reserve. Have a good day folks #rspb.bsky.social #rspb.scotland.bsky.social #NaturePhotography #nature #wildlife #wildlifephotography #birds #birdphotography #birdwatching #ECK

20945d ago

Neil Cameron1

There's definitely one thing Starlings do well and it's iridescence, and you've shown this spectacularly!

Ian Slater1

They used to be so commonplace, in big groups. Can’t remember when I last saw one.

Rina

@rina2012.bsky.social

"Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Iridescence, The Alt theme is #Mothers, any female bird." A female mallard amongst daisies 🌸 #birds #birding #BirdsSeenIn2026 #Germany #wildlife #photography #naturephotography #thelittlethings #ECK