In this article I’ll be going over 5 purple birds that can be found across the state of Utah so, continue reading for a more deatiled breakdown on each bird below.

• Brown Headed Cowbird
• European Starling
• Rock Pigeon
• Violet Green Swallow
• Costa’s Hummingbird

5 Purple Birds In Utah

1. Brown Headed Cowbird (Molothrus Ater)

• Size: 16 – 20cm
• Weight: 38 – 45 grams
• Wingspan: 32 – 38cm

Brown headed cowbirds can be found all across Utah in their breeding season. 

These birds can be recognised by their light brown head, their dark blue/purple wing and body feathers. Females are mostly brown in color.

As for where brown headed cowbirds tend to spend the majority of their time, it would include open grasslands, as well as agricultural, urban, and suburban habitats where grain or cattle-disturbed soil are readily available. 

Brown headed cowbirds mostly consume mostly insects like grasshoppers, beetles, spiders, flies etc as well a number different seeds.

These cowbird are known to live for around 17 years in the wild on the high end.

2. European Starling (Sturnus Vulgaris)

• Size: 20 – 23cm
• Weight: 60 – 96 grams
• Wingspan: 31 – 40cm

European starlings were first introduced to north America in the early 1890’s. Now they can be found throughout Utah on a year round basis. 

These starlings are recognised by their multi colored plumage which is made up of purple, green, blue and gray. The head and neck are purple with hints of green, their wings green and gray, the belly and breast blue and green with the beak a striking yellow color. Females on the other hand are mostly a light brownish/gray color.

European starlings can often be found around people, using mowed lawns, city streets, and agricultural areas like city parks as their place of rest. 

As for what they eat, it includes worms, snails, insects, fruit and seed mixes. They do also forage for food around soil and rocks.

European starlings are known to live for around 2 – 3 years on average in wild, whilst the number is much higher in captivity achieving a max of 20 years within such an environment.

3. Rock Pigeon (Columba Livia)

• Size: 30 – 36cm
• Weight: 265 – 380 grams
• Wingspan: 50 – 67cm

You’ll find rock pigeons scattered all across Utah on a year round basis. 

Rock pigeons are mostly gray with elements of black on their wings and green plus purple hue across their neck. Females are generally smaller in size and also have a flatter head unlike the males who tend to have a more round head shape.

These pigeons spend the majority of their time around urban parks and neighborhoods, around farms, under highway, railroad bridges as well as near tall rocky cliffs.

In regards to the food rock pigeons eat, they include a variety of seeds, bread crumbs, seed grasses, worms among other insects, berries and acorns.

Rock pigeons tend to live for 6 years in the wild when averaged out.

4. Violet Green Swallow (Tachycineta Thalassina)

• Size: 13 – 14cm
• Weight: 13 – 15 grams
• Wingspan: 26 – 28cm

Violet green swallows can be found all across Utah in their spring and summer breeding season.

These swallows are recognised by their darker green upper back and upper head, purple /green wings and tail feathers along with a white face and breast. Females look very similar to the males.

Violet green swallows can be found around deciduous and coniferous forest where you’ll see them nesting within tree holes.

These swallows feed on a variety flying insects like flies, true bugs, wasps, winged ants, wild bees, beetles, moths etc. like most others. They will also eat the occasional berry or seed if they come across some.

The oldest recorded violet green swallow lived for 9 years and 1 month but, the typical lifespan for these birds will be at least a couple years less.

5. Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte Costae)

• Size: 28 – 34cm
• Weight: 74 – 142 grams
• Wingspan: 36 – 46cm

Costa’s hummingbird can be found in southwest Utah when they breed.

These hummingbirds are recognised by their purple head, white stomach and the wing feathers a brown color. Females don’t have purple on their body but do have a light green tint to their back.

Costa’s hummingbird tend to live around deserts, chaparral and sage scrub areas in coastal California.

As for what they eat, it’s the same as what most other hummingbirds would consumer which includes sipping on flower nectar and eating a variety of smaller insects.

Costa’s hummingbirds tend to live for around 8 years at the most but generally, their lifespan will be far lower.