What color do birds see?

Birds are known for their keen sense of vision and can see a wider range of colors compared to humans. They can perceive ultraviolet (UV) light, wavelengths of light just beyond the visible spectrum to humans, which gives birds an advantage in finding food, spotting predators and choosing mates.

Here is a general overview of the colors that birds can see:

Tetrachromatic vision: Many bird species have tetrachromatic vision, meaning they have four types of cones in their retinas that are sensitive to different wavelengths of light. This allows birds to see colors in the visible spectrum that may appear dull or even invisible to humans.

Ultraviolet (UV) light: Birds can see UV light, which is not visible to humans. This ability helps them see patterns, markings, and signals on feathers and other objects that may be invisible to us. UV light also helps birds spot ripe fruit and insects that reflect UV light.

Humans have three types of cones sensitive to red, green, and blue light. Together with the brain, these cones help us perceive a vast range of colors. Our vision mainly allows us to distinguish hues from violet to red, along with intermediate colors like orange, yellow, and green.

In comparison, some bird species have evolved the ability to see near-ultraviolet (UV-A) light, which humans cannot detect. Birds that have this capability are called UV-sensitive or tetrochromatic birds.

The extra UV cone in their retinas enables UV-sensitive birds to perceive additional color nuances, making their visual spectrum broader than ours. This unique adaptation allows them to see details, patterns, and markings in UV reflective objects that are invisible to humans.

Additionally, some bird species, like pigeons, have cone pigments sensitive to magnetic fields. This capability, along with their UV-A vision, helps them with accurate navigation during long-distance migrations.