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Red-legged Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes cyaneus

Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

Seen here in the company of the equally colourful emerald tanager, this male red-legged honeycreeper in breeding plumage has black upperparts, bright red legs, mostly bright blue underparts and a turquoise crown. I could not get a shot of the bird in flight but then it shows a yellow vent.

Habitat:

Spotted here at the Arenal Observatory, Costa Rica. Lives in evergreen forest and edges, citrus and cocoa plantations, semi-open areas with scattered trees, open woodlands and clearings. Found up to 1,200 m ASL. Distribution: from southern Mexico, through Central America, southwards to Peru, Bolivia and central Brazil. Also found in Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago.

Notes:

This bird's long decurved bill allows it to take nectar from flowers.
The emerald tanager has its own spotting:
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/6245781

Reference Links:

Red-legged Honeycreeper

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (32)
yunseong1
Incredible picture Daniele Pralong!
Bong Ambutong
Exceptional shot Daniele. odd couple and beautiful indeed.
HeatherMiller
Daniele - I believe you - they are so brilliant that they "look fake: though. It's supposed to be a compliment but, well, there is really no way to say that where it doesn't sound like I'm accusing. I'm not. The opposite in fact. I'm complimenting. I am very impressed with the way the picture turned out. It looks like something from a movie set.
DanielePralong
Love the Pixar comment Heather! I promise colors in the pic are natural: you just need to check the melons in the background... Some neotropical birds just have incredible colors...
HeatherMiller
They seem fake their colors are so bold!!! What a find you made. I love how they are "talking" over lunch. I expect to see these in a Pixar movie because of their bright colors.
Saarbrigger
Great moment for a picture and great colours.
NicoleB
So glad you found him :-)!
DanielePralong
Thanks Nicole. They were certainly having a conversation over lunch, as in fighting for pieces of fruit! Off topic, I've finally found an ID for the little yellow Ethiopian bird: he's a local species of weaver bird. I will update the information shortly. Thanks again for bringing him to my attention!
NicoleB
Those two are gorgeous! Are they having a conversation over Lunch proceedings? ;)
Dangermouse
Beautiful, amazing colours! Fantastic spotting, for both!
DanielePralong
I agree Emma! I'm glad I have the fruit in the background to show that the colours are natural...
DanielePralong
Thanks Alice! The birds in Costa Rica are a riot of colours...

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Birds of the World
Mission
Paso Pacifico Survey
Mission
2011 Best Wildlife Photo
Mission
Birds of Panama and Costa Rica
Mission
The Color Blue

Tags

Photographed
PublishedAugust 15, 2011

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