Color perception depends on the number of types of "cone cells" in the eye. There are five known types of cones. Having only one type (monochromacy) allows the detection of only 100 colors. Two (dichromacy) allows 10,000; trichromacy, 10 million; tetrachromacy, 100 million; pentachromacy, 10 billion.

Most amphibians, birds, most insects, and reptiles—along with a few, rare human beings—can differentiate around 100 million colors. Humans—along with the other hominids or “great apes” (e.g., chimps, gorillas, bonobos), most other primates, marsupials, and honeybees see 10 million.

Pure white light can yield an infinite spectrum of colors. How many a particular group of animals can detect depends on factors associated with evolution, particularly recognizing food.

Some creatures have developed the ability to see in the ultraviolet (UV) range of colors. Birds, turtles, lizards, a lot of fish, some rodents and, curiously, some people who have received cataract surgery, have eyes that see in UV. Birds use this gift to navigate, spot prey at a distance, detect food at high speeds, avoid predators, recognize other birds, and choose mates.

Some species of butterfly, and birds, including the pigeon, can see 10 billion colors. “Color-blind” primates and most land-dwelling mammals that are not primates can see 10,000. Sea-dwelling mammals, the owl monkey, and the rare acromat—a person who can see only black, white, and shades of gray—can still distinguish 100 “colors.”

More Info: en.wikipedia.org