The Male Red-legged Honeycreeper Sapphire Splendor

Resting on a smooth, horizontal wooden branch against a vibrant, soft green backdrop, this magnificent specimen is a male…

Resting on a smooth, horizontal wooden branch against a vibrant, soft green backdrop, this magnificent specimen is a male Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus). The bird’s plumage is a breathtaking sight, with the entire body cloaked in a deep, plush velvet blue that approaches black on the wings and tail. The head is crowned by a striking, light sky-blue cap that shimmers with an almost sapphire iridescence, offering a stark contrast to the black mask across the face. His short, decurved black bill is visible, an instrument finely tuned for probing flowers. Below the black belly, the eponymous bright red legs and feet are clearly visible, adding a final, vivid splash of color to this jewel-like inhabitant of the Neotropical forest canopy.