18 Flowers That Look Like Birds: Animate Your Garden

Flowers that look like birds might seem too good to be true, but there are lots of flowers that naturally look like the winged beauties of the sky.

Nature is full of surprises, and if you’re looking for beautiful additions to your garden, flowers that resemble birds can bring color and life to your landscape. Apart from their aesthetic appeal, these flowers will also attract real birds to your garden.

This post covers 18 wonderful flowers resembling birds that will definitely make a great addition to your garden.

List of Beautiful Flowers That Look Like Birds

1. Yulan Magnolias

Yulan magnolias of the Magnoliaceae family (Magnolia denudata), a flower native to Japan and China, tops this list as it looks like tiny little birds when it blooms. Mother Nature has a unique way of blowing our minds away.

From a distance, you’ll think the yulan magnolias is a plant with small birds perching on it. This is especially true if you’ve seen the small birds called white-headed munia.

The pink color of the yulan magnolia flowers will brighten your garden and attract bees and other pollinators, which will make your garden buzz with life.

– Description

Summer is a great time to visit Beijing, and it’s during this time when the yulan magnolias blossom with flowers looking like pink birds resting on branches. It creates a welcoming and vibrant feel of springtime. Grow these flowers in your garden and create the perfect illusion to impress your visitors.

2. Bird of Paradise

The bird of paradise, also called strelitzia reginae, is probably named after the Bird of Paradise (the bird). This plant is native to South Africa. It has large leaves with bright-colored flowers resembling the exotic bird. The plant has flowers that come in yellow, orange, and purple/blue hues.

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The interesting thing about this flower is that it looks like a bird in flight. The petals resemble the wings of birds. It’s also known as a crane flower because of its unique shape.

The bird of paradise grows to a height of about 3 to 9 feet. It grows well in full sunlight to partial shade. Regular watering is required when the plant is young to establish its roots. 

3. White Egret Flower

The white egret flower (Habenaria radiata) is native to Korea, Russia, and Japan. It’s commonly referred to as fringed orchids. Just as the name suggests, this flower resembles the White Egret bird that is in motion. It has long, white, thin petals that look like a bird’s feather and a yellow center resembling a bird’s head.

– Description

While the white egret flower looks fragile, it’s a hardy plant that can survive in different climates. Egret orchid is mostly found in upland bogs, seepage slopes, coastal strand vegetation, hardwood scrub, and grassy wetlands.

The white egret orchid will attract hummingbirds and bees to your garden with its vibrant color. These pollinators are good for your garden and will spread pollen around the area.

4. Flying Duck Orchid

The flying duck orchid is another flower that looks like a bird, and the way it attracts pollinators to your garden is downright clever. It’s also called Caleana major and looks like a flying mallard duck.

– Description

The flying duck orchid flower blossoms from September to November. It has an amazing scent that attracts male sawflies. When a sawfly falls for the trap, it releases organs called stamen that pollinate this orchid.

The flowers close up and trap the insect inside. It remains closed until it’s ready to fly away and will repeat the process. As strange as it seems, this is how the duck orchid gets pollinated.

5. Green Bird Flower

Native to Australia, the green bird flower (Crotalaria cunninghamii) looks like a hummingbird. It’s common in deserts, drainage lines, sand dunes, and coastal areas of Australia. The flower looks like several hummingbirds feeding on the same plant.

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The green bird flower requires little care for optimal growth, making it a good choice for gardeners with little time to care for their plants. You might have assumed that Crotalaria cunninghamii attracts hummingbirds. Well, it doesn’t appeal to any nectar-seeking birds, but the green birdflower is often pollinated by bees and other insects.

6. Bat Flower

As you read this, you probably have the image of a bat in your mind. The bat flower (Tacca chantrieri) belongs to the Dioscoreaceae family and originates in China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam.

– Description

This flower has an unusual structure since the center looks like a face, and the petals drop like wings and ears.

Together, one might think it’s a bat in flight. While a bat isn’t a bird, the fact that the flower looks like a flying animal means it deserves a spot on this list.

Generally, it’s a beautiful flower worth planting in your garden. It performs well in high humidity under partial shade. 

7. Bird Head Orchid

The bird head orchid (Phalaenopsis) is native to Southeast Asia. One might think that this flower looks like a crimson finch on a branch. The head orchid has slim, beautiful, and delicate flowers.

– Description

It gets its name from how the flower looks like a bird’s head in the center. Sometimes, it’s also referred to as a moth orchid because the center looks like a moth from a distance.

The bird head orchid was initially expensive because it was difficult to grow it from seed. However, it’s popular today and easily available. You can use the flower as a houseplant to bring color to your indoor spaces. With the proper growing conditions, it can flower throughout the year.

8. Bird’s Mouth Orchid

Bird’s mouth orchid (Orthoceras strictum) is native to Australia, New Caledonia, and New Zealand. It has a greenish-yellow throat with shades of purple on its petals. This flower looks uncannily like a bird with its beak open, ready to gobble down a treat.

– Description

Typically, the bird’s mouth plant grows up to five upright leaves, which can blossom nine flowers that come in various colors. The flowers are normally brownish, blackish, or greenish-yellow.

The beautiful colors of the mouth orchid attract bees, which help pollinate other flowers in your garden.

9. Parrot Flower

The Parrot flower (Impatiens psittacina) is quite realistic, and you won’t believe your eyes when you see this flower in person. It looks so real that you would think they are parrots flying together. 

– Description

The flower has just about all the features that make it resemble a parrot. It has vibrant colors with wings and a beak. It’s native to Asia, particularly Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. The parrot flower is normally grown outdoors, and it’s adored because of its ability to survive in tropical climates.

10. Dove Orchid

At this point, you’ve probably noticed that flowers that look like birds have names derived from the specific birds resembling these plants. Well, the dove orchid (Peristeria elata) acquires its name in a similar fashion. It’s a rare flower commonly found in Central and South America and looks like a dove in flight.

– Description

The flower has white petals with purple traces, and the inside resembles a dove descending from the white skies. This is why the flower is also called the Holy Trinity Orchid, the Holy Ghost Orchid, or the Flower of the Holy Spirit.

Dove orchids do well in rich humus material and mostly thrive near the ground. It performs well when grown in areas with warm to hot climates. Bees and hummingbirds pollinate these flowers, and they are a great choice for floral arrangements.

11. Western Bearded Greenhood

The western bearded greenhood (Pterostylis barbata) also looks like a bird, and it gets its name from the hairy green beard that drops from the center of the plant. Actually, the beard attracts pollinators like bees. 

– Description

The western bearded flower is easily distinguished by its green “hood” and the “beard” sprouting from the center. Bearded greenhood originates from southwest of Western Australia. It’s normally found in shrublands, woodlands, and open heathlands.

12. Angel Orchid

The angel orchid (Coelogyne Cristata) looks like the dove orchid. It’s native to the Himalayas and is often adored because of its large and fresh foliage. This flower looks like a beautiful white bird with its wings spread wide.

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The flower has white petals with striking yellow on the inside. Growing these beautiful flowers in your garden will indeed make your landscape more welcoming.

As for its growing conditions, every flower from the orchid family has unique preferences, particularly with the amount of sunlight it can tolerate. The angel orchid is best grown as a houseplant, meaning it shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight. This orchid will blossom even in partial shade.

If you opt to position this orchid near a window, provide the required shade to avoid direct sunlight. Leaving the plant in direct sun will only lead to severe scorching of flowers and leaves.

The angel orchid requires frequent watering when it’s actively growing. For potted plants, make sure that the soil retains moisture for long periods of time.

13. Crane-fly Orchid

Crane-fly orchid (Tipularia discolor) is a hidden gem and an interesting addition to your garden. It’s native to North America but also common in Southeastern areas of the U.S. You can easily distinguish the crane-fly orchid with its plain-colored branches and unique leaves.

– Description

Often, these flowers do well in woodlands with moist soils and decaying wood. In other words, they require an environment with good drainage and high organic matter. They grow well in partial shade but require some sunlight in the winter.

The crane-fly orchid produces only one leaf and forms in the winter. It’s an oval-shaped leaf that develops in November. The single leaf is green with purple spots. It’s worth noting that moths mainly pollinate the crane-fly orchid.

14. Red Birds in a Tree

As funny as it may sound, “red birds in a tree” is a tree plant with flowers that look like birds. It scientific name is Scrophularia macrantha. You might not have come across this bird flower yet because it’s native to New Mexico and the mountains of Arizona. This plant is a relative of figwort.

– Description

The red birds in a tree plant resemble a flock of birds on a tree. Usually, these flowers are red in color and blossom all summer long. Their vibrant color attracts hummingbirds for pollination. However, the species is threatened due to construction, mining, wildlife, and other habitat modifications.

Red birds in a tree appeal to most gardeners because it’s easy to grow. It works well with almost any soil type as long as it’s provided with the required nutrients and sun, but it doesn’t do well in heavy clay. Grow the red birds where they can get full to partial sun.

Frequent watering is required to ensure you get bright flowers. During summer, deep watering is important to prevent the soil from drying up. What’s more, you only need to fertilize the red birds lightly during fall.

15. Flamingo Flower

The flamingo flower, commonly known as anthurium, is a stunning plant that deserves a space indoors. It has glossy green leaves with pink or red flowers that look like flamingos. Most gardeners will want to own this houseplant because it requires only a little maintenance.

– Description

This flower performs well in well-drained, acidic soil and should be kept in humid conditions. It doesn’t require frequent watering. When it’s actively growing, it requires monthly fertilization.

The flamingo flower loves well-drained soil, so you should be careful not to overwater the flower or let it sit in standing water. At the same time, the soil shouldn’t be left to dry out. Mulch where necessary to ensure you maintain moist soil throughout its growing season.

When growing the flamingo flower indoors, locate a space where it can receive partial to full sun. Since the plant is dormant during winter, it doesn’t require much light. Avoid placing the flower near the window where it gets direct sun since you risk burning its foliage.

Another common issue with this flower is that the foliage can lose color when light conditions aren’t provided as required. Besides avoiding direct sun, ensure you provide the flower with enough sunlight for glossy and bright-colored flowers.

16. Ballerina Flower

The ballerina flower, also called the hardy fuchsia plant, has gorgeous blooms that will surely enhance your garden’s curb appeal. It’s a perennial flowering shrub that grows to about 4 to 10 feet.

– Description

This plant is called the ballerina flower because it looks like dancing ballerinas. However, from afar, one can also argue that they look like a flock of birds with wings trying to get some juice from a tree.

The hardy fuchsia plant is native to South America. They are so prolific that most gardeners consider them an invasive species. Before you plant them in your garden, confirm with your local extension office whether or not you can plant them on your landscape.

While it’s okay to grow the hardy fuchsia as a perennial, it requires proper drainage. Therefore, provide the plant with well-drained soil and place it in a location where it can get partial sunlight. Keep the soil light and nutrient-rich by adding organic matter or compost.

17. Columbine

Columbine (Aquilegia) is an easygoing perennial plant. You might be surprised to find this plant in this list, but the term “Aquilegia” is coined from the Latin word meaning eagle. This is because the petals of Columbine flowers are said to resemble an eagle’s talons. 

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Columbine comes from the Latin word meaning “dove.” the inverted petal flowers look like five doves sitting together. Therefore, the unique features of the Columbine flower feature characteristics of birds.

These plants aren’t too choosy with soil as long as it drains well. The soil shouldn’t be overly dry. If you live in warmer environments, plant the Columbines in partial shade. Provide partial shade and mulch to ensure the soil doesn’t dry out. Mulching also helps during winter as it insulates the plants.

Make sure the columbine plants are moist when actively growing. After that, you simply need to water them weekly. Additional watering is required during extended periods of drought.

18. Lotus Vine

Lotus vine (Lotus berthelotii), commonly known as the parrot’s beak, is a strange flower you might not have seen before. The resemblance with a parrot’s beak might not be utterly obvious, but a closer look will make you understand where it gets its name.

– Description

If you’re looking for flowers to plant in containers during summer, the lotus vine will add color to your garden. Summer containers create an exciting way to capture the season and brighten your decks, patios, and lanais. Pair these bright-colored flowers with other foliage plants, and you’ll enjoy the dramatic look and feel of your landscape.

Fortunately, you can grow lotus vines from stem cuttings. If you have a neighbor with these flowers, you can get a few stems and plant them in your garden. Lotus vine plant is sensitive to pests such as mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids. You can deal with these pests by applying horticultural oil.

Plant the lotus vine in well-draining soil. Make sure the soil doesn’t dry out, but you should also be careful not to overwater the plant.

Conclusion

Nature has an interesting way of beautifying our surroundings, and you’ve seen how flowers that look like birds are amazing.

Here are a few pointers to remember about these flowers:

• Some of the flowers featured herein are very realistic, and you will think they are real birds on branches. 
• Grow these colorful flowers in your garden, and create a welcoming natural feel to your landscape.
• Yulan Magnolias and the Birds of Paradise plants are some of the must-see bird-like flowers on this list.

Always remember to provide your flowers with ideal growing conditions to ensure they enhance your lawn’s curb appeal.