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Images of birds are everywhere around us. Nations and monarchs have used their likenesses as symbols of power for hundreds of years.Before that, visuals of birds were sacred images in a number of ancient religions. Birds make great mascots and logos, and they're perfect for motivational or inspirational designs. To explore our curated collection of birds stock photos and royalty free images, simply scroll down, where we've collected our favorites from photographers all over the world.
All about images with birds
Modern bird images take a variety of forms. Specific species of birds are popular, like hummingbirds, robins, birds of paradise, turkeys, cardinals, kiwis, and parrots. We also see mythological birds, like the phoenix, in bird icons, vectors, logos, and cartoons. Bird silhouettes are common design elements, as are bird footprints and bird nests. Birds flying and colorful birds round out some of the most dramatic bird images — these make particularly striking photographs, which require a lot of skill to capture. Our library is full of bird images of all kinds created by our global network of contributors.
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Questions about birds images and backgrounds
Finding images with birds on Shutterstock is easy. First, you can simply scroll down to explore our curated collection of bird images. We've picked some of our favorite images from multiple categories, like photos, vectors, icons, cartoons, and logos. If you'd like to search for something more specific, go to the top of this page and type your search term into the field labeled "Search for images," then click the magnifying glass. When you get your results, you can begin filtering them by size, orientation, type, and even color scheme. If you already have an image, and you'd like to find a similar one, simply click "search by image" on the right side of the page. Upload your image, and Shutterstock's search by image will return images that are similar in composition.
Popular images with birds include parrots, turkeys, cardinals, and kiwis. Each of these birds has a different cultural personality around the world, so they appear often in branding and marketing designs. Parrots are famous for their brilliant colors and their ability to mimic human speech. We've seen them in everything from cartoons to big screen movies, in cages and on pirates' shoulders. Turkeys symbolize Thanksgiving where it's celebrated, reminding us of family gatherings. Cardinals are among the most popular bird mascots, so we see them in many varieties in all sorts of designs. Kiwis are popular for their unique appearance and homeland, and they've been used for everything from brand logos to advertising icons.
Good bird photos rely on a bird's most striking feature: its plumage. Birds come in all shapes, colors, and sizes, but each species has unique coloring that makes it instantly recognizable. These colors and patterns are natural design elements, so photographers who can capture this create a striking balance between the natural world and the patterns that people look for in the art we create. Birds in flight are particularly compelling because they combine the two most interesting aspects of a bird: its coloring and the fact that it can fly. When you're searching for bird photos, look for those photos that leave plenty of space for the bird in the image. If the image is too cluttered, then the bird can disappear into the background, so look for simple, clean images that speak for themselves.
Taking good photos of birds presents the same challenges as taking photos of other animals, pets, or children: they won't always sit still. The sharp contrasts in birds' plumage means that the focus should be crisp, and that requires the bird to be still long enough for the photographer. If the bird is in flight, the photographer must make adjustments to exposure times and shutter speeds — all of this can happen very quickly, so it requires a lot of precision and a steady hand. Often, birds won't allow photographers to get very close, so specialized lenses are necessary. This is why a good bird photo is worth its weight in gold! Equipment, experience, and luck must all come together in a perfect moment to capture the perfect photo.
The best time to photograph birds is either early in the morning or in the afternoon. Both of these times correspond with birds' active periods. The morning is a particularly good time to photograph birds because adult birds will be hunting for food for both themselves and their offspring. The dramatic lighting that occurs during "blue hour," just before the sun rises, can result in truly impressive photos. In the afternoon, the natural lighting will be a bit more evenly distributed, making this the perfect time for more straightforward photos of birds that highlight their natural features without the dramatic use of light. Whichever time you choose, patience will be important, as you'll need to wait for the birds to come within sight without disturbing them.
How to use images with birds creatively
Using pictures and images of birds on social media When you're using images of birds for social media posts, you want to keep the emotion you want to convey in mind. Different birds invoke different feelings; for example, raptors and birds of prey can invoke strength, cunning, and power, while puffins and penguins can be cute, conveying happier feelings. Decide which feeling you're going for with your post, and then experiment with different species of birds to find the one that aligns with your messaging. Images of birds are popular, so you want to be sure you choose one that captures the drama of birds. This could mean birds in flight, birds fighting, birds in their nests, or any number of other alternatives. Because there are so many images in our social media feeds, you want to choose a photo that will make your viewers stop scrolling and look at your post. Avoid images that are too cluttered or that don't showcase birds' most interesting features. Using bird images as wallpapers and backgrounds Images of birds can be great wallpapers and backgrounds because they're interesting without being overpowering. You want to showcase the power, drama, and beauty of birds, but you also want your visitor paying attention to your primary content. Choose uncluttered images of birds with plenty of negative space. This will allow the bird to occupy a position in only a certain corner of your screen, and then it's natural habitat will fill the rest of the space. It's in this space where you can feature your primary content. Be sure to choose an image that aligns with your messaging. If you want to convey strength and power, choose an image of a raptor. If you would like something more lighthearted, choose a cute bird, like a puffin or a parakeet. Alternatively, you can use a background of tiled bird images if you're going for a more muted background appearance. Using images and visuals of birds on websites Websites are great places for images of birds. First, decide what type of image you want to use, and then stick with it throughout your site design. You might want illustrated or cartoon images or birds, or perhaps you prefer vector art and digital designs. If you want to use photo-real images, then stick with this format for all of your bird images. If you're using images of birds as backgrounds on your website, then choose striking images with plenty of negative space. This way, your background image won't overpower your primary content. If you're using images of birds to accentuate your messaging, then choose images that feature the bird prominently rather than blended into its background. This way, you can break up your text with interesting images that don't leave your visitor struggling to find the bird.
