Birds can be mistaken for UFOs, both by the naked eye and in photographs. When seen at a distance in bright sunlight, birds can appear to be small glowing or metallic looking spheres that are moving together in patterns. The light reflects off their feathers causing their actual shape to be masked, and it is only when you get closer that their true appearance is revealed. After dark if caught in artificial lighting they may glow yellow or orange.


If a distant bird is hovering on air currents looking for food, or is gliding towards your direction, it can sometimes appear as a saucer-shaped dark object.