Actually that is a trick of the atmosphere as the light passes through it. The light refracts slightly as it passes through the dust and moisture in the upper atmosphere causing the apparent glints of color. I worked in the space arena for decades both in the Air Force and in Industry and none of the satellites flash color on purpose...and most birds are covered with reflective gold mylar as needed for thermal control where they are not either black or white in color.
Go outside and look around on a dark moonless night. You will often see stars and planets appear to flash colors as the white light passes through the atmosphere. The effect seems to get more pronounced nearer to the horizon, since the light passes through more of the atmosphere for a longer time at low elevation angles.