Take Off With These 40 Amazing Bird Tattoo Ideas

With its splashes and spills of Watercolors, this tattoo definitely says Springtime. It looks like the artist used a brush to paint them on. There are precisely inked outlines as well as indistinct ones defined by dabs of color. With contrasting dotwork this tattoo says: Forever Spring

Old School style is known for its bold black outlines and themes like flags, sailors and sometimes eagles. Here the lettering is characteristic of Old School; think Grandpa’s tattoo of a flag with lettering across it. The simple shading employed results in a 2D effect; not specifically a realistic rendering but of course Very Nice

This linear tattoo on the forearm is so vivid even though it’s devoid of any color. There’s such extensive detail thanks to the many thin black lines and both light and heavy shading. Thanks to this you can look at this design and sense and feel the colors that would be present in Nature. Put a frame around it and it’s yours forever.

Beautiful artistry is on display in this tattoo. The lines are even and perfectly uniform. The heavy black opacities are dramatic and the shading supremely well done. And if that weren’t enough there are the sketch-like black lines surrounding the eagle and the small but bold black sphere highlighting its head. Add to the mix the geometric shape of the design itself and you have… Perfection. Big props to artist IG: @concreteforty from Stockholm, Sweden

This design might just be going for drama; after all it’s in Blackwork style. But then again it might be about a doomed love affair although that might not be what you’d want to memorialize; especially forever in a tattoo. Regardless of the intended meaning, this is a beautiful work.

The orientation of the hawk in this tattoo is definitely different; at first it’s even hard to distinguish where the head is. Of course you immediately notice the beautiful expanse of the wings which showcase impressive detailing. This detailing is brought to you using black lines, shading and the smart use of negative or uninked space. All together you get one big, bold tattoo.

There’s lots to love in this tattoo starting with the matching yellow shading of the eagle’s eye and beak. There’s also intricate detailing of the face. But what really makes this a captivating design is the awesome dark shading seen above the head and on the neck of the eagle. The lower feathers then seamlessly blend with the pine trees resulting in one very cohesive tattoo.

Many of the design elements here are commonly seen in sleeve tattoos; namely the florals and stopwatch. In the presence of the dove they’re probably associated with death. What really stands out in this tattoo though are the beautiful rays of light highlighting the bird’s head…Brilliant

The darker shading and touches of white ink really highlight this dove in an otherwise crowded field. Enhancing the design are the lighter swirls of ink at the bottom which mirror the shading seen adjacent to them. It’s a nice artistic touch used to frame the design.

If you want to create a focal point on your chest, a tattoo over the sternum is the way to go. Located right in the middle of the chest, the viewer’s eye will be immediately drawn in. This realistic tattoo showcases beautiful shading and contrast along with plays of light.

The Phoenix is often associated with gentle souls and that’s just the mood felt here. Enhanced with florals, thin black lines and muted tones there’s a delicate feel to this tattoo. It’s especially nice how the design flows across the hip and thigh mirroring the curves of the body. Beautiful

Talk about Realistic style; this tattoo is about as realistic as it gets. The colors are so true to nature and this green not often seen in tattoos. With exquisite thin black lines and great use of shading and contrast, the smallest details of a sparrow are evident. You can sense the texture of the feathers, the landscape, the log. This Is Realistic Style

Wow – what beautiful colors. They actually have a metallic or glistening quality to them much like the actual feathers of Hummingbirds. With small pops of white ink and very stylized shading that resembles blocks of color, this tattoo rocks. Props to Artist IG: @isaacink_ from Mexico

The parts of this design do exist; just not together. Images are combined in an irrational, unexpected way. This is Surrealism style; think Salvador Dali. The different images within this tattoo are realistically depicted with attention to proportions and reproduction of light. To achieve this realism the artist successfully uses black ink and tones of gray for shading and contrast. Realism? Yes although of an image we’re not likely to ever see.

This tattoo screams Drama, Drama, Drama. With large areas of dark gray shading and adjacent areas of negative or uninked space, there’s both light and depth.. The beautiful black lines and detailed shading of the Hummingbirds are just another layer of artistry. Artist IG:@carmelogxmez from Richmond, VA

This isn’t the prettiest of designs but I don’t think that’s what this dude was going for. The tattoo itself highlights skilled inking as displayed by its thin black lines and shading. The shape and heavy opaque inking of the eyes serve to create a menacing look but one that’s certainly interesting. Anyone interested in inking the neck should know that it’s considered to be among the most painful areas to tattoo.

This is such a sophisticated design; one that showcases great inking skills. Thin black lines and negative or uninked space provide the detailing seen on the Owl’s face. Of course you can’t help but notice the beautiful stippled shading. It’s created using the specialized technique known as Whip shading. Upping the artistry of this tattoo is the incorporation of multiple geometric shapes. Props to Artist IG:@laemergentecol from Bogota, Colombia

It doesn’t get much more traditional than this: a black and gray traditional sparrow on the hand. Simple, yet very nice.

Being full-sleeve this is obviously a large tattoo; yet it doesn’t overwhelm thanks to the pretty lines and decorative flourishes. Both the florals and the ornamental detail around the circle (is it a mirror?) soften the design and create a delicate, light feel. Mix in impressive shading and contrast and this full sleeve is an obvious keeper.

The Watercolors in this tattoo are applied in a precise manner with attention to shading and contrast. Of course there are a few splashes of color outside the lines which are always fun. White ink is also used to highlight both the Phoenix and the florals. With a ribbon of florals and a sparkling star as finishing touches, You’re Set To Go

There’s such vibrancy, lushness in this tattoo. This tattoo has it all: beautiful bright colors and contrast along with rich detailing. The design itself elevates the tattoo. The triangular golden accents on the bottom are perfectly offset by the circle at the top. Add a hint of gold and you have Perfection

The elements of Geometric style always add interest to a tattoo. The standout here is the angled grid on the bottom along with the sun. Of course rebirth and immortality are suggested. Brush style is also introduced simulating brushstrokes on canvas. Very Cool