The Mystery of the 16 Violet Birds: A Rare Phenomenon or a New Species

Birds of the violet family, known as Passeriformes, are one of the most abundant and diverse groups of avian species, with over 10,000 species of birds worldwide.

These birds are found in all parts of the world, from the tropics to the boreal forests, and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.

They are some of the most beloved and recognizable birds, with their colorful feathers and melodious songs.

While some species of birds of the violet family are widespread, others are rare and endangered.

In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of birds of the violet family, from their adaptations and behaviors to their conservation status.

1. Purple Martin

The Purple Martin is a beautiful passerine bird in the swallow family and is the largest of its kind in North America.

It has dark blackish-blue feathers that have an iridescent sheen which can make them appear blue or deep purple depending on the light; they may even look green.

These birds are quite social creatures and often build communal roosts with multiple nests, having as many as hundreds of individuals living together at once.

They feed mainly on flying insects such as flies, moths, wasps, and bees.

Their habitats include areas near bodies of water like lakes or rivers where there’s plenty for these birds to eat all year round.

The Purple Martin is truly an amazing species worth protecting.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Hirundinidae
Genus	Progne
Species	P. subis

2. Violet-Green Swallow

The Violet-green Swallow is a small, North American passerine bird belonging to the swallow family.

These birds are known for their aerial insectivorous diet and beautiful green coloration with white rump side patches that appear as if they’re separating them from other swallows.

They inhabit areas along the west coast of America, ranging from Alaska down to Mexico and also extending eastwards to Montana and Texas.

This species can be seen swooping through open air in search of food or heard chirping away during its mating season – usually occurring between April and late summer months.

It’s an important part of many ecosystems due to its role in controlling insect populations.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Hirundinidae
Genus	Tachycineta
Species	T. thalassina

3. Purple Starling

The purple starling is a species of bird belonging to the family of starlings. It has a striking metallic purple head and body, measuring up to 22-23 cm long with stocky features.

Found in tropical Africa from Senegal eastwards to Sudan and Kenya, they inhabit open woodland areas as well as cultivated lands.

These birds are sociable creatures who form large flocks during their nomadic movements across landscapes.

They feed on insects, fruit, and other small invertebrates found along their flight paths or near trees where they perch at night for roosting purposes.

The Purple Starling stands out amongst its peers due to its vibrant coloration which helps it blend in seamlessly into various habitats while also protecting potential predators.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Sturnidae
Genus	Lamprotornis
Species	L. purpureus

4. Violet-Backed Starling

The Violet-backed Starling is a beautiful small bird, with the male sporting a stunning violet back and wings, while the female has an overall grey plumage.

This species of starling can be found in woodlands and savannah forests throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

They are sociable birds that often travel in flocks looking for food such as insects and fruits.

The Violet-backed Starling also forms strong bonds with other members of its flock, so much so that they will even sleep together at night on tree branches to keep warm.

A truly lovely sight to behold if you’re lucky enough to spot one.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Sturnidae
Genus	Cinnyricinclus Lesson, 1840
Species	C. leucogaster

5. Purple Grenadier

The Purple Grenadier is a stunning bird native to eastern Africa. It measures around 13.3 cm in length and has an impressive black tail that stands out against its other vibrant colors.

Adult males have cinnamon-colored heads with blue patches surrounding the eye, while their rumps are purplish blue and underparts violet-blue with variable rufous patches.

Females lack these bright features but still possess a beautiful plumage of grey and brown tones throughout the wings and body feathers.

Their red bill makes them easily recognizable amongst other birds of similar size within their habitat range.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Estrildidae
Genus	Granatina
Species	G. ianthinogaster

6. Purple Honeycreeper

The Purple honeycreeper is a vibrant and beautiful bird found in the tropical New World from Colombia to Brazil, as well as in Trinidad and Tobago.

It belongs to the tanager family Thraupidae and was formally described by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758.

This colorful species has an iridescent purple body with dark wings, yellowish legs, a black tail tip and beak, a blue crown patch on its head, and white spots under its wings.

They mainly feed on nectar or small insects such as spiders but also sometimes eat fruits like bananas or papaya when available.

The Purple Honeycreeper’s plumage makes it one of nature’s most striking birds.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Thraupidae
Genus	Cyanerpes
Species	C. caeruleus

7. American Purple Gallinule

The American purple gallinule is a stunning bird found in North and South America. This species belongs to the order Gruiformes, which contains cranes, rails, and crakes.

The family Rallidae classifies it as a rail species with its scientific name being Porphyrio martinica.

It is also known locally as the yellow-legged gallinule due to its striking plumage of greenish-blue feathers on its wings, back, and tail along with bright red legs and bill.

Its environment includes freshwater marshes, swamps, or paddy fields where these birds feed mostly on plants like water lilies or small invertebrates such as insects or molluscs.

These beautiful creatures are threatened by habitat destruction, especially for agricultural purposes but conservation efforts are helping them survive despite this threat.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Gruiformes
Family	Rallidae
Genus	Porphyrio
Species	P. martinicus

8. Violet Sabrewing

The Violet Sabrewing is the largest hummingbird in Mexico and Central America, with a length of 13-15cm (5.1 to 5.9in).

It belongs to the Trochilini tribe of Emeralds subfamily (Trochilinae) and has two distinct species – C. h. hemileucurus and C. h.. mellitus – found from Mexico to Panama.

This colorful bird typically sports an iridescent violet throat, shining green back, white breast as well as black head, tail feathers, and beak tip; all adding up to its stunning beauty.

Its diet consists mainly of nectar it collects from flowers by hovering around them like typical hummingbirds do but also feeds on small insects for much-needed protein intake.

The Violet Sabrewing is known for its long migrations across great distances just so it can find suitable places where food sources are abundant during different seasons throughout the year.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Apodiformes
Family	Trochilidae
Genus	Campylopterus
Species	C. hemileucurus

9. Varied Bunting

The Varied Bunting is a species of songbird belonging to the Cardinalidae family. It can be found in southern parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas in the US as well as throughout Mexico and into southeastern Guatemala.

This bird has a short tail, making it appear stocky, with its head and neck predominantly blue-grey or greyish brown depending upon seasonal changes.

Its wings are black with white stripes on them while its underside is yellow during summer months but turns to an orange coloration for winter plumage.

Males have brightly colored heads consisting of blues, purples, and reds which helps distinguish them from females who lack such bright colors instead of having shades closer to that seen on their backsides.

The varied bunting loves open woodlands – especially those near water sources like rivers – where they feed off insects and seeds; however their diet also includes berries when available too.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Cardinalidae
Genus	Passerina
Species	P. versicolor

10. Crowned Woodnymph

The Crowned Woodnymph is a species of hummingbird that can be found in the Americas, from Belize and Guatemala to northern Peru. It has an emerald-green body with a white underbelly.

The most striking feature of this bird is its violet crown, giving it its name.

It also has two small black marks on each side of its neck as well as multiple iridescent feathers covering much of its back.

This vibrant creature typically feeds on nectar from flowers and insects such as spiders and moths which they catch mid-flight using their long bills or tongues.

All these features make them one of the most beautiful birds living in Central American rainforests today.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Apodiformes
Family	Trochilidae
Genus	Thalurania
Species	T. colombica

11. Violet-Crowned Hummingbird

The Violet-crowned Hummingbird is a small, colorful bird found in Mexico and the southwestern United States. It belongs to the “emeralds” tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae and was formerly placed in the genus Amazilia.

The hummingbird has predominantly green plumage with white underparts, while its head features a distinctive violet crown that gives it its name.

On top of this striking coloration, males sport an iridescent gorget or throat patch which can range from purple to blue depending on lighting conditions.

These tiny birds feed mainly on nectar from flowers but also supplement their diet with insects caught mid-flight for extra protein.

They are solitary creatures except during breeding season when they engage in territorial disputes over access to good food sources such as flowering trees or shrubs near water resources where there are plenty of bugs for them to catch too.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Apodiformes
Family	Trochilidae
Genus	Ramosomyia
Species	R. violiceps

12. Costa’s Hummingbird

Costa’s hummingbird is a species of the Trochilidae family. It inhabits arid regions in both the southwest United States and northwest Mexico, migrating to western Mexico for wintering purposes.

This bird was named by French ornithologist Jules Bourcier in 1839 after honoring François Coste, who had sent specimens to him from North America.

Costa’s hummingbirds are small birds averaging 3-3.5 inches (7–9cm) long with typically green feathers on their back and tail while underparts are usually greyish or sometimes white with purple highlights around the throat area giving them an iridescent appearance when light hits it the right angle.

Males also have red patches on their forehead which they use as part of courtship display behavior along with singing distinctive “wheep” sounds during mating season.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Apodiformes
Family	Trochilidae
Genus	Calypte
Species	C. costae

13. Sabrewing

Sabrewing is a genus of large Neotropical hummingbirds, found in the understory and edges of forests, mostly in mountains. They are 12-15 cm long with greenish backs and tails.

The female Sabrewings build cup nests on low horizontal branches over streams where they lay two white eggs.

These birds can be seen hovering as they feed off nectar from flowers or catching insects while flying midair using their curved bills to catch them.

In addition to this behavior, sabrewings often perch high up on trees looking out for predators like hawks or snakes that may threaten their safety and young ones during nesting season.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Apodiformes
Family	Trochilidae
Tribe	Trochilini
Genus	Campylopterus Swainson, 1827

14. Woodnymph

Woodnymphs are small, vibrant hummingbirds found in humid forests and tall secondary growth.

Males have an iridescent green-and-violet blue plumage while females display a combination of green with white tips on their tails, as well as some whitish underparts.

Both sexes share the same trait of a straight black bill with minimal or no postocular spotting. These birds can be seen flittering around forested areas throughout South America from Panama to Bolivia and northern Argentina.

Woodnymphs feed off nectar from flowers but also consume insects for added protein – so keep your eyes peeled for these little beauties.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Apodiformes
Family	Trochilidae
Tribe	Trochilini
Genus	Thalurania Gould, 1848

15. Western Violet-Backed Sunbird

The Western violet-backed sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family and is part of the violet-backed sunbird superspecies.

It has an expansive range throughout most tropical mainland sub-Saharan Africa, mainly inhabiting mesic woodlands.

These birds have bright purple feathers along their backs with yellow bellies and tail tips.

They have long slender beaks that help them feed on nectar from flowers as well as insects they catch while hovering in midair.

The male western violet-backed sunbirds are slightly larger than females but both sexes look very similar to each other otherwise.

This species can also produce beautiful melodious chirping calls which makes it an enjoyable sight for any nature lover.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Nectariniidae
Genus	Anthreptes
Species	A. longuemarei

16. Purple Heron

The Purple Heron is a majestic wading bird from the heron family that can be found in Africa, central and southern Europe, as well as southern and eastern Asia.

It has an impressive wingspan of up to 1.2 meters and its plumage usually ranges from grey-blue to purple on its back with brown streaks on its chest.

This species breeds during the summer months before migrating to winter habitats where they feed mainly on fish or frogs near wetlands or rivers.

The scientific name Ardea purpureus originates from Latin words meaning ‘heron’ and ‘colored purple’ respectively – referring to this bird’s beautiful coloration.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Pelecaniformes
Family	Ardeidae
Genus	Ardea
Species	A. purpurea

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