In Germany there are a small handful of birds adorned with blue feathers. This guide will introduce you to the native species with shades of blue in their plumage.

In a nutshell

  • 6 bird species with blue plumage are native to Germany
  • they are common
  • usually not kept completely in blue

Blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)

  • Feathers tinted blue on crown, wingtips and tail
  • Wings fade from green to blue
  • Underside completely yellow, white face with black eye and chin stripe
  • light weight of about 10 g
  • Size of about 12 cm
  • Resident birds throughout Germany
  • Habitat includes deciduous or mixed forests, as well as forest edges, open cultural landscapes and, less often, urban areas
  • recognizable by the trilling tii-tii

Tip: Due to their low weight, blue tits can often be seen hanging upside down on trees, poles or other climbing opportunities. The little birds are very agile.

Jay (Garrulus glandarius)

  • Wing panels are colored intense blue
  • pink to red-brown basic coloration, wings and forehead with characteristic black and white markings
  • with a black beard stripe
  • grows to about 35 cm
  • Partial migrant that can be found all over Germany
  • prefers light forests as a habitat, often found in gardens and urban areas
  • calls out with a clearly recognizable krschäääh noise
  • often mimics hawks or woodpeckers

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

  • is considered the only species of the genus Alcedo in Central Europe
  • Upper side completely colored cobalt to azure blue, bright spots visible
  • Underside orange to rusty brown, throat and neck with white spot
  • 17 to 20 cm tall
  • occurs throughout Germany as a resident bird
  • slow rivers, streams and quarry ponds with a large abundance of fish are inhabited
  • mainly hunts fish that are caught with the powerful beak
  • calls in a distinctive ziii

Notice: The kingfisher is more often confused with the blue rock thrush (Monticola solitarius) or blue magpie (Cyanopica cyana), although these are not native to Germany. They sometimes stray to the south and specifically the Alpine area.

Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)

  • Complete upper side colored blue-grey, pronounced black eye stripe
  • Underside in bright orange
  • male specimens with reddish-brown flanks
  • 12 to 15 cm tall with a compact build
  • about 10% of the worldwide nuthatch population can be found in Germany
  • it is a sedentary bird that is extremely site-loyal
  • open forest areas, gardens, city parks and other urban areas are inhabited
  • opens nuts by pinching them and working them with his beak
  • Call varies from the characteristic twett to a plaintive zit or whistling wuih wuih wuih wuih

Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)

  • is considered the largest species among the pigeons (Columbidae) in Germany
  • Completely grey-blue in color with a white neck patch
  • Wings colored white underneath, clearly recognizable light yellow iris
  • up to 45 cm tall
  • to be found everywhere in Germany all year round
  • preferred habitats include urban areas, as well as forested areas and meadows
  • always stay in groups
  • recognizable by the cooing

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

  • is the most common dabbling duck in Germany and Europe
  • Wing feathers of both sexes partly iridescent blue and clearly recognizable
  • Males are gray in color, green head with white collar, brownish breast, yellow bill and orange legs
  • Females are beige-brown with brown markings, orange legs, and grey-orange bill
  • grow up to 60 cm tall
  • usually found in pairs and with chicks or in large groups
  • preferred habitat are all possible bodies of water in Germany, even garden ponds
  • breed even in cities
  • these are sedentary birds
  • the call is the typical croaking of ducks

frequently asked Questions

Are there completely blue-colored bird species?

Yes, the plumage of some exotic bird species in particular is often kept blue throughout. Arguably the best-known are the Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus), which is colored a deep cobalt blue, and the males of the Indigo Finch (Passerina cyanea). Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) are also often found in this shade.

How are the birds attracted?

If you want to observe birds like the blue tit or the nuthatch in your garden, you should equip it accordingly. While these birds can already be attracted with a suitably equipped aviary or a feeding station with suitable food, you have to put in much more effort for the other species. Kingfishers, for example, can only be attracted if you have a natural stream with fish available.

Are any of the featured bird species endangered or threatened with extinction?

Fortunately, none of the native blue plumage species are threatened with extinction. They're not even endangered, which makes it easy to spot them in the wild. Some of the birds, for example the wood pigeon, are even regularly increasing in numbers.

Category:

Animals in the garden