14 IRIDESCENT Birds found in South Dakota! (2025)

Did you see a bird in South Dakota 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.

14 Iridescent BIRDS in South Dakota:


#1. European Starling

  • Sturnus vulgaris

Types of iridescent birds

European Starlings are a common iridescent bird in South Dakota!

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

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:

YouTube video


#2. Common Grackle

  • Quiscalus quiscula

Common Grackles are one of the most shiny birds in South Dakota.

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.

Their favorite foods are grains, such as corn and rice, and they are known to gather in enormous flocks in farm fields that grow these crops. In addition, they also eat a wide variety of seeds, acorns, fruits, insects, spiders, frogs, fish, mice, other birds, and even garbage!

Common Grackle Range Map

common grackle range map
These large, aggressive birds can become a nuisance when they arrive in large flocks as they scare away smaller songbirds. Unfortunately, due to their athletic ability and willingness to eat most foods, they are one of the harder creatures to prevent at backyard feeding stations.

#3. Rock Pigeon

  • Columba livia

Rock Pigeons are extremely common in South Dakota 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

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

tree swallow pic

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 South Dakota 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 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

iridescent water birds

My guess is that almost everyone is familiar with the Mallard. These ducks are the most common iridescent water birds in South Dakota!

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

mallard duck 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

Types of iridescent birds

In South Dakota, 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 cowbird range map

Brown-headed Cowbirds are considered “brood parasites.”

Cowbirds have a truly interesting way of reproducing. Instead of spending energy building nests and raising their young, they let other birds do it for them! Females deposit their eggs INSIDE the nests of other species, which means the “chosen” bird does all the hard work.
Can you spot the cowbird egg?
Types of black birds in Virginia

#7. Northern Shoveler

  • Spatula clypeata

If you only glance at their shiny green heads, casual observers in South Dakota 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

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

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. 🙂

YouTube video

#9. Brewer’s Blackbird

  • Euphagus cyanocephalus

iridescent birds

Males are completely glossy black with bright yellow eyes. If you see these shiny birds in the sun in South Dakota, 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

brewers 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. Purple Martin

  • Progne subis

Types of iridescent birds

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 South Dakota 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.

YouTube video

#11. White-faced Ibis

  • Plegadis chihi

  • Maroon water birds with a long curved bill. Wings appear metallic green and bronze in the right light.
  • At the base of the bill, breeding adults have a bare patch of pink skin surrounded by a white border.
  • Non-breeding adults lack the skin patch and white border on the face. Greenish-black legs.

At first glance, White-faced Ibises appear black. But upon closer inspection, you will see a beautiful mixture of green, bronze, and purple iridescent plumage.

These glossy birds are found in marshes across South Dakota, where they can be found digging their long bill into mud, looking for earthworms, insects, and crayfish.

White-faced Ibis Range Map

white faced ibis range map

These birds sometimes use human-made objects in their nests. Everything from lighters to dolls to shotgun shells has been found!


#12. Violet-green Swallow

  • Tachycineta thalassina

At first glance, these swallows appear dark. But once the sun hits their feathers, you can truly appreciate their beauty as their metallic green backs and iridescent purple behinds become visible.

Your best chance at seeing these iridescent birds in South Dakota is over open water.

Violet-green Swallow Range Map

violet green swallow range map

Violet-green Swallows will fly over lakes, ponds, or rivers in the early mornings, hunting for insects. Since they tend to flock with other species of swifts and swallows, look for the birds with a white belly and cheeks.

Violet-green Swallows spend winters in Mexico and Central America. They are only in North America during the breeding season.


#13. Rufous Hummingbird

  • Selasphorus rufus

rufous hummingbird - types of iridescent birds

Males have a bright copper-orange coloring on their back (although some males have a green back) and the sides of their belly. But their most striking feature is their beautiful reddish-orange iridescent throat.

Although not as vivid as the males, many females have a spot of shiny red or orange plumage on their throats.

Rufous Hummingbird Range Map

rufous hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbirds build their nests with soft plants held together with spider webs. Like other hummingbird species, females prefer lichen, bark, and moss as camouflage.

Rufous Hummingbirds are incredibly aggressive! Be careful if one finds your hummingbird feeders or garden, as they will relentlessly attack and drive away other hummingbirds (including much larger species).


#14. Black-billed Magpie

  • Pica hudsonia

iridescent birds

It’s hard to miss these shiny birds in South Dakota!

Black-billed Magpies demand your attention. They are very social, noisy, and comfortable living amongst people and are commonly seen in smaller towns. Naturally, they live in open grasslands and plains and tend to avoid dense forests.

And in the right light, you can see beautiful blue iridescent feathers on the wings and tail.

Black-billed Magpie Range Map

Being part of the Corvid family, Black-billed Magpies are incredibly intelligent. One interesting behavior is that they seem to have funerals when discovering a deceased magpie. Individual birds will begin calling loudly to attract more magpies, eventually having as many as 40 birds gathered for 10-15 minutes before flying away silently.


Learn more about other birds in South Dakota!


Which of these iridescent birds have you seen before in South Dakota?

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