13 IRIDESCENT Birds found in Florida! (2025)
Did you see a bird in Florida that seemed to shine?
If so, you were lucky enough to observe a bird with iridescent plumage. These beautiful feathers appear shiny or glossy, especially when viewed in sunlight.
Below, you will find a list of birds with iridescent feathers. To help you make an identification, I have included several photographs of each species and detailed range maps.
13 Iridescent BIRDS in Florida:
#1. European Starling
- Sturnus vulgaris
European Starlings are a common iridescent bird in Florida!
Their breeding plumage in the summer appears shiny, especially when viewed in the sun. Look for a green-purple tint.
In winter, starlings lose their glossiness, their beaks become darker, and they develop white spots over their bodies.
But did you know these birds are an invasive species? Back in 1890, one hundred starlings were brought over from Europe and released in New York City’s Central Park. The man responsible (Eugene Schieffelin) had a mission to introduce all of the birds mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays in North America.
European Starling Range Map
The rest is history as starlings easily conquered the continent, along the way out-competing many of our beautiful native birds. Their ability to adapt to human development and eat almost anything is uncanny to virtually no other species.
It’s common to see starlings at my backyard bird feeders. Press PLAY below to see a LIVE stream of my feeding station:

#2. Common Grackle
- Quiscalus quiscula
Common Grackles are one of the most shiny birds in Florida.
Males are black overall but have an iridescent blue head and bronze body when seen in the right light. Females look similar, except they are slightly less glossy than males.
Common Grackle Range Map
#3. Rock Pigeon
- Columba livia
Rock Pigeons are extremely common in Florida but are almost exclusively found in urban areas. These shiny birds are what everyone refers to as “pigeons.” You have probably seen them gathering in huge flocks in city parks, hoping to get tossed some birdseed or leftover food.
The typical pigeon has a gray back, a blue-grey head, and two black wing bars. In addition, look for a green and purple iridescence around their necks!
Rock Pigeon Range Map
Love them or hate them, Rock Pigeons have been associated with humans for a long time! Some Egyptian hieroglyphics suggest that people started domesticating them over 5,000 years ago. But, interestingly, scientists aren’t even sure where their original range occurs!
#4. Tree Swallow
- Tachycineta bicolor
Male Tree Swallows have a beautiful greenish-blue iridescence, which is especially striking in the sun. Females are not as bright or shiny in color and are much more brownish.
You will typically find these iridescent birds in Florida near bodies of water, where they can find tons of insects to feed on. This species will even bathe by flying over the water, skimming their bodies on the surface, and shaking off the droplets.
Tree Swallow Range Map
Tree Swallows prefer to eat insects. After the breeding season, they gather in large groups, up to hundreds of thousands, to migrate.
#5. Mallard
- Anas platyrhynchos
My guess is that almost everyone is familiar with the Mallard. These ducks are the most common iridescent water birds in Florida!
Males have a bright green head that shines brightly in the sunlight. Females are mottled brown with orange and brown bills. Both sexes have shiny purple-blue secondary feathers on their wing, most visible when standing or flying.
Mallard Range Map
Mallards are extremely comfortable around people, which is why these adaptable ducks are so widespread. They are found in virtually any wetland habitat, regardless of location. We even find these water birds in our swimming pool every summer and must chase them away so they don’t make a mess on our deck! 🙂
#6. Brown-headed Cowbird
- Molothrus ater
In Florida, these glossy birds are naturally found in grasslands, brushy thickets, prairies, and woodland edges. However, they have greatly expanded their range due to human development. They have adapted well to residential areas, pastures, orchards, and cemeteries.
Males have completely black bodies with brown heads (hence the name). In poor light, it can be hard to tell that the head is brown. But in good light, their black plumage is shiny and slightly iridescent.
Females, on the other hand, are a plain brown color.
Brown-headed Cowbird Range Map
Brown-headed Cowbirds are considered “brood parasites.”

#7. Northern Shoveler
- Spatula clypeata
If you only glance at their shiny green heads, casual observers in Florida might accidentally think these ducks are Mallards. But upon closer review, you should notice the ENORMOUS spoon-shaped bill, which is how Northern Shovelers got their name.
Males have iridescent green heads, a white chest, black backs, and yellow eyes. Females are brown, and sometimes, you can see a bluish shoulder patch.
Northern Shoveler Range Map
They use their large bill to shovel and sift through mud and sand to find tasty tidbits like crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic insects. Interestingly, their bill has over 100 tiny projections on the edges called lamellae that help filter out the food they want to eat.
#8. Wood Duck
- Aix sponsa
Walt Disney used to say that “the world is a carousel of color,” and few waterfowl have taken this more to heart than the male Wood Duck. It looks like an artist used every color to paint a duck with green, red, orange, lime, yellow, buff, rose, brown, tan, black, white, gray, purple, and blue coloring.
Males have very intricate plumage that is iridescent when viewed in the sun. Look for the green crested head, red eyes, and chestnut breast with white flecks.
Wood Duck Range Map
This is one of the few ducks you may see in a tree! Wood Ducks use abandoned tree cavities for nesting but also readily take to elevated nesting boxes.
When hatchlings leave the nest for the first time, they often have to make a giant leap of faith (up to 50 feet / 15m) to the ground below! You have to watch the video below to believe it. 🙂

#9. Brewer’s Blackbird
- Euphagus cyanocephalus
Males are completely glossy black with bright yellow eyes. If you see these shiny birds in the sun in Florida, you may see hints of iridescent blue, purple, and metallic green reflecting off their plumage.
Females are plain brown with pale or brown eyes.
Look for Brewer’s Blackbirds in a variety of habitats, such as marshes, forests, meadows, and grasslands. These birds also adapt incredibly well to the presence of humans and are common in backyards, golf courses, parks, and agricultural areas.
Brewer’s Blackbird Range Map
After the breeding season, huge flocks come together to travel and search for food in grasslands and farm fields. It’s common to see them in mixed flocks that also include cowbirds, starlings, grackles, and Red-winged Blackbirds.
#10. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Archilochus colubris
Males are easy to identify because they have a bright red throat. In addition, they have iridescent green plumage on their heads and backs.
Females are duller than males. Their face lacks the black chin and red throat of the male.
These small iridescent birds are common in Florida during warm summer months.
Once cooler temperatures start to arrive, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate to Mexico. Amazingly, most individuals travel ACROSS the Gulf of Mexico to reach their wintering grounds. Remember, they must make this incredibly long journey in a single flight, as there is nowhere to stop and rest. 🙂
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Range Map
Believe it or not, these hummingbirds make distinctive noises. The sounds I hear most often are a series of calls that seem to be given as individuals chase each other around. It resembles a chattering “chee-dit.” Press PLAY below to hear what they sound like!

#11. Purple Martin
- Progne subis
Purple Martins are incredible flyers! These swallows perform impressive aerial acrobatics when chasing their favorite prey, flying insects. Look for them mostly in open areas around water.
Adult males are dark and iridescent. Their shiny plumage appears blue and purple in the sun. Females are duller, with gray plumage on their heads and chests.
One interesting thing about Purple Martins is they breed in colonies in artificial nest boxes. In fact, throughout most of eastern North America, they rely solely on artificial cavities. But out west, Purple Martins still primarily use woodpecker holes for nesting. Interestingly, even before European settlers arrived, Native Americans used to hang up empty gourds for them!
Purple Martin Range Map
These iridescent birds are only in Florida during the breeding season. Then, towards the end of summer, Purple Martins gather and roost together in HUGE numbers as they prepare to migrate back to South America. The flocks are so big they show up on the weather radar! Press PLAY below to a video I made that shows thousands of Purple Martins preparing to migrate together.

#12. Purple Gallinule
- Porphyrio martinica
Purple Gallinules are one of the brightest-colored birds in Florida!
Both sexes have iridescent feathers of deep blue and green covering their body. Their long yellow legs provide a stark contrast to their shiny plumage.
The best place to find Purple Gallinules is in marshes near freshwater.
Purple Gallinule Range Map
They forage like a chicken, walking slowly while pecking at vegetation in the water.
These iridescent birds are fantastic swimmers and good climbers because of their long toes.
#13. Boat-tailed Grackle
- Quiscalus major
It’s easy to identify these iridescent birds in Florida!
The easiest place to see them is around people, as Boat-tailed Grackles are not shy!
As the name suggests, adults have a long, V-shaped tail, which resembles the keel of a boat.
Males are glossy black all over and appear shiny in the sun. Females look completely different, as they are smaller with a pale brown breast and dark brown upperparts.
Boat-tailed Grackle Range Map
They readily take advantage of humans for food and protection from predators. For example, when our family visits Disney World, I see them in large numbers, hanging out around busy food areas, looking to scavenge leftover popcorn, pretzels, and french fries.
Learn more about other birds in Florida!
-
31 MOST Common Birds in Florida!
-
SMALL BIRDS that live in Florida
-
The Complete List of WINTER BIRDS found in Florida
-
The Complete List of CORVIDS found in Florida
Which of these iridescent birds have you seen before in Florida?
Leave a comment below!