Scarlet-thighed Dacnis

Dacnis venusta

Small and striking tanager with very sharp bill. Male superficially similar to Blue Dacnis but most of body black; head, back, and shoulder electric turquoise-blue. Red eye. Scarlet “thighs” inconspicuous and difficult to see in the field. Female less obvious than male; note turquoise face contrasting with buffy belly. Usually stays in the canopy of forest edges; pairs often follow mixed feeding flocks.

Identification

Iris bright red in male, duller red in female. Male unmistakable with bright turquoise blue crown and nape, sides of head and neck, centre of back, rump and scapulars.; forehead lores, sides of back, wings and tail, and mid-throat and entire remaining underparts black; the thighs are scarlet, but these are usually hidden. Female dull greenish blue above, brightest on cheeks, scapulars, and rump, duskier on back, wings, and tail; below dingy buffy greyish, buffiest on belly and undertail coverts.

Taxonomy

Genus: Dacnis; Family: Thraupidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Dacnis venusta
Authority
Lawrence, 1862
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Thraupidae
Genus
Dacnis

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

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