Red-flanked bluetail Coloring Pages

The bright blue bird that brings happiness

The Red-flanked bluetail is a small wild bird about the size of a sparrow. Boys have beautiful, bright blue feathers. Because of how they look, they are very popular with bird fans as "the blue bird that brings happiness."

What are they like and what do they stand for?

The Red-flanked bluetail is a special bird that stands for beauty, good luck, and the coming of winter.

• How it got its Japanese name: People say the Japanese name "Ruribitaki" comes from "Ruri," a beautiful blue like a gemstone, and "Hitaki," a word for birds that sing with a sound like striking firestones.
• English name: In English, it is called the "Red-flanked Bluetail." It means "a bird with red sides and a blue tail." This describes the bird's body colors just as they are!
• A sign of good luck: Because of its beautiful look, people say good luck will come to you if you see one.

When and where can you find them?

The Red-flanked bluetail is a migratory bird that changes where it lives depending on the season.

• In summer: They mostly live and raise their babies in the cool forests of Hokkaido and high mountains on the main island of Japan.
• In winter: When it gets cold, they fly down to flatlands and low mountains in areas south of the main island to spend the winter. You can see them living by themselves in park bushes or mountain forests.
• Best time to see them: In flat areas, you can often spot them in winter or during spring and autumn when they are moving to new homes.

Color differences between boy and girl Red-flanked bluetails

A big feature of the Red-flanked bluetail is that boys and girls have very different feather colors!

• Boys: They are bright blue from their head down to their back and tail. They also have white on their chest and orange (red) on their sides. They look very colorful!
• Girls: Their whole body is reddish-brown or brown. But the special trick to spot them is the blue color near the base of their tail.

How to Choose Colors: Use Gem-like Blue and Orange Flanks!

For this Red-flanked bluetail coloring page, color the main part with a beautiful contrast between the male's bright blue and the orange on its sides.

• Basic colors: Choose mainly dark blue, light blue, orange, white, and black (for the eyes and beak).

Colors for each part:

• The male's blue: Color from its head down to its back and tail in a bright lapis blue (dark blue). If you make a clear border between the white on its chest and the blue on its back, it will look even more three-dimensional!
• The orange on its sides: Color the sides of its body in a bright orange or a reddish color. This will make the features of the Red-flanked bluetail really stand out!
• The chest and throat: Color from its throat down to its chest in white.
• The female's colors: If you are coloring a female, color its whole body in light brown or ochre, and color just the base of its tail in blue. That will show what a female looks like!
• The beak and feet: Color them black or dark gray to give them a sharp look!

How to color with depth: Blue gradients and overlapping feathers!

To show off the beautiful blue shades and its round body, try thinking about "shadows" and "lights." Places in shadow:

• Add "shadows" to places where the light doesn't reach, like where the feathers overlap, under the chin, and at the base of the tail, using a darker blue than your main color. This will make the bird's body look nice and round!

Places where the light hits:

• If you color the places where light hits—like the middle of its back and the top of its head—with bright blue or light blue, you can make it sparkle like a jewel!

Let's add some texture!

Colored pencils: If you paint the feathers carefully along the lines and leave a few white lines, you can show their fluffy texture. How to color: If you blend slightly where the blue and white meet, it will look like natural feathers.

Hints to enjoy your coloring page!

• Wish for happiness!
  • Picture a "bluebird that brings happiness," use your most vivid colors, and color a lively Red-flanked bluetail!
• Get creative with the background!
  • If you draw and color snowflakes or trees with red berries in the background, you can show a beautiful winter scene!