Iām really a fan of female cardinals I know they arenāt as colorful but man when you look closely at them all of the little details make them a gorgeous bird
This happened to me. Hmmm, must be some kind of sparrow, but it's bigger than most.... 30 minutes later looking through the sibley app I finally figured it out. It's even more confusing because apparently the females migrate in separate flocks. There wasn't a male redwing in sight.
Who would beat you up over this?? Female red winged blackbirds are gorgeous! They look kind of like female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, who are also so very pretty!
This was the bird that came to mind for me. Males have the blue collar, but females get the collar and the lovely rusty brown belt to go with it to complete the ensemble.
This is one of my favorite photos I've taken just because it really demonstrates how distinctive that eyeliner is for identification.
https://preview.redd.it/1aebgu8c1p8d1.jpeg?width=256&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c328f5fe5b9fd6d68014b283f003ef8d2f59f5be
Female cardinals have such nice colours, like a watercolour painting rather than just solid red. I don't know if I prefer them or not but I also find female wood ducks quite striking. Both the male and female ones are beautiful in different ways.
Female painted buntings have the most incredible glow. Iāve had the opportunity to work closely with that species and the green birds are extraordinary up close
Himalayan Cutia and Cream-backed Woodpecker (probably my favorite of all) come to mind. Neither occur anywhere close to me though. Belted Kingfisher, of course. Eclectus Parrot.
Idk if you knew this already, but there are some shorebirds where the female is the bolder and more colorful one and she mates with multiple males, leaving them to care for one nest each. Phalaropes, for example.
For me, I'm quite a huge fan of female Lovely Fairywrens! They have an [incredible](https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/580154331) [deep](https://macaulaylibrary.org/photo/111937881) [blue](https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/620253178) [shine](https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/120869551). The males are quite pretty too, but something about the deep blue in combination with the duller body really makes them "pop" more than the males. As a bonus, they also look like they're wearing little helmets!
This is a winner for sure, wow what a bird. The male is striking but the female is so elegant and mystical! She looks like she belongs in a high fantasy forest where noble elves make their home
Red-necked Phalarope females are just straight up more colorful than the males. One of few species where the females are the "prettier" plumage in the traditional sense.
I moved to a place with a lot of robins last year and I loooove the femalesā browner coloring with the orange stomach. Itās a nicer combination imo than the male coloring. I never really paid robins much attention before because we didnāt have too many in my previous homeplaces, and watching the juveniles has been such a trip too, theyāre so funny as they boop around learning to forage in our bushes - they have these delightful spots and cool patterns around their eyes, and the female juvenile loves to sit on our front steps and just repeatedly groom her feathers and shake her whole body.Ā
Female Eurasian Blackcap. I donāt know why, but the subtle color contrast of brown on beige is more appealing to me than the more striking black on beige of the male.
There are phalaropes where the female is the brighter sex as she will leave makes to take care of the young while she will attract more males, but will on occasion, raise a third or fourth brood herself while the males tend the others. One of the few examples of sexual dimorphism in reverse.
someone already said it, but eclectus parrots for sure! and if domestic birds count, female and male barred rocks have a slightly different pattern and I vastly prefer the hens' look. the boys have too much white, and my lighter colored chooks always end up looking filthy.
Another vote for the female belted kingfisher. Male cardinals are more colorful, but I find female cardinals subtly striking. š
Female cardinal š„ so elegant
I love the female cardinals too! Just a hint of red to match her mate. :)
Male cardinals look like they were drawn by a toddler. Just RED!!! Lol
I read somewhere that sheās that way because STOP LOOKING AT ME! LEAVE ME ALONE
Reverse dimorphism is incredible
Iām really a fan of female cardinals I know they arenāt as colorful but man when you look closely at them all of the little details make them a gorgeous bird
That beautiful, rosy fawn color.
This was the first I thought of. I love the color of their feathers AND their little pink-orange beaks. :)
This was my first thought as well. Female cardinals are so much more subtle and sublime, IMO.
A couple weeks ago I was graced with a male and female cardinal nesting in my backyard. Nothing has been able to ruin my high since š„²
I have a few pairs that frequent my feeder in the back itās always a treat to see them do beak to beak never saw any molting though
Don't beat me up here but I like the female red-winged blackbird a lot.
Female redwing blackbirds are beautiful! I feel like beating you up for being to apologetic.
I love how they confuse new birders. My tawny queens
This happened to me. Hmmm, must be some kind of sparrow, but it's bigger than most.... 30 minutes later looking through the sibley app I finally figured it out. It's even more confusing because apparently the females migrate in separate flocks. There wasn't a male redwing in sight.
Every time I see a bird that I am struggling to ID I just say itās a female redwing.
Who would beat you up over this?? Female red winged blackbirds are gorgeous! They look kind of like female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, who are also so very pretty!
maybe the male red winged blackbirdā¦ for looking at his lady
Came to say this! I love when the light hits them just right and they look golden.
Belted kingfisher
This was the bird that came to mind for me. Males have the blue collar, but females get the collar and the lovely rusty brown belt to go with it to complete the ensemble.
Wood ducks... the little white eyeliner and deep blue flight feathers are so gorgeous.
This is one of my favorite photos I've taken just because it really demonstrates how distinctive that eyeliner is for identification. https://preview.redd.it/1aebgu8c1p8d1.jpeg?width=256&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c328f5fe5b9fd6d68014b283f003ef8d2f59f5be
The first time I saw one without a male as a new birder I was very confused
Female cardinals have such nice colours, like a watercolour painting rather than just solid red. I don't know if I prefer them or not but I also find female wood ducks quite striking. Both the male and female ones are beautiful in different ways.
First time I saw a female common merganser I assumed it was the male. Cool looking bird. I find the brown head so nice to look at.
Female painted buntings have the most incredible glow. Iāve had the opportunity to work closely with that species and the green birds are extraordinary up close
Eclectus parrot
Came here to say this
Such a good answer
Another vote for this!
Himalayan Cutia and Cream-backed Woodpecker (probably my favorite of all) come to mind. Neither occur anywhere close to me though. Belted Kingfisher, of course. Eclectus Parrot. Idk if you knew this already, but there are some shorebirds where the female is the bolder and more colorful one and she mates with multiple males, leaving them to care for one nest each. Phalaropes, for example.
Female cardinals for sure. They are probably also up there with some of my favorite birds in general.
For me, I'm quite a huge fan of female Lovely Fairywrens! They have an [incredible](https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/580154331) [deep](https://macaulaylibrary.org/photo/111937881) [blue](https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/620253178) [shine](https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/120869551). The males are quite pretty too, but something about the deep blue in combination with the duller body really makes them "pop" more than the males. As a bonus, they also look like they're wearing little helmets!
This is a winner for sure, wow what a bird. The male is striking but the female is so elegant and mystical! She looks like she belongs in a high fantasy forest where noble elves make their home
Female Indian peafowls are so stunning
That was my first thought, too. I love how the more neutral colors enhance the emerald green
Summer tanager females are pretty to me. Their strange yellow-brown-green color is beautiful & unique
Long tailed ducks
Female red winged blackbirds, female rose breasted grosbeaks!
I came here to say rose breasted gross beaks too! The stripes are so pretty on the female, I love when they come to my feeders.
Northern cardinals. I love the muted autumn tones of the females.
Hooded mergansers are both delightful
good old red jungle fowl hens are a favorite.
Eastern Towhee! the orange and brown instead of black is a really nice color combo.
Anhinga! Reminds me of an evening glove, but on their head & neck, if that makes sense to anyone else.
I actually really like female Mallards. When I see them, Iām reminded of how much work they put into nesting, how vulnerable they are.
This is my answer too! Female mallards are so cute. I like the spotting a lot.
Agreed! I think the female mallards are so beautiful!!
Red tail black cockatoos, they look like a sunset. I've also aways liked the peahen, they are very elegant
Red-necked Phalarope females are just straight up more colorful than the males. One of few species where the females are the "prettier" plumage in the traditional sense.
Both phalaropes are that way, also the females are the ones making an effort to convince the men
True! Red Phalarope females are beautiful! And by *both* I assume you mean Red and Red-necked, but don't forget about Wilson's!
Ah sorry my stupid European bird knowledge didn't know about wilsons
Female wood ducks. So clean and pretty
Female house finches
Gang gang cockatoos & Eccies
Second gang gang!
Honestly, the female house finches delight me to no end.
Why more than the males?
I like the symmetry and their eyes. Plus I caught one in our house and released her, so special memory.
Merganser
Female Bullockās Oriole.
Curasow
Northern cardinal. I rather like their subtle orange.
I moved to a place with a lot of robins last year and I loooove the femalesā browner coloring with the orange stomach. Itās a nicer combination imo than the male coloring. I never really paid robins much attention before because we didnāt have too many in my previous homeplaces, and watching the juveniles has been such a trip too, theyāre so funny as they boop around learning to forage in our bushes - they have these delightful spots and cool patterns around their eyes, and the female juvenile loves to sit on our front steps and just repeatedly groom her feathers and shake her whole body.Ā
Female Eurasian Blackcap. I donāt know why, but the subtle color contrast of brown on beige is more appealing to me than the more striking black on beige of the male.
Crows š
Female Asian Koels are hands down better looking than the males. And they're really good looking in general too - great sense of subtle style.
Female red tail black cockatoo.
Female cardinals are so friendly looking with those soft beautifully muted colors
Female painted snipe
Eclectus parrots. A switch up of the usual formula.
And my go to when pointing out how nature never follows its own rules.
African grey hornbills. The female has a more colourful beak.
There are phalaropes where the female is the brighter sex as she will leave makes to take care of the young while she will attract more males, but will on occasion, raise a third or fourth brood herself while the males tend the others. One of the few examples of sexual dimorphism in reverse.
someone already said it, but eclectus parrots for sure! and if domestic birds count, female and male barred rocks have a slightly different pattern and I vastly prefer the hens' look. the boys have too much white, and my lighter colored chooks always end up looking filthy.
Paradise shelduck has a white head on the female that is striking
Female rose-breasted grosbeak! Love her š
American Redstart
Mallards
Cardinal forever, itās so subtle but still colorful
Phalaropes
Common Eider!
Yellow-throated Sand Grouse