From Opus

Photo by Steve G
Male
Photographed: Asa Wright Centre, Trinidad

Cyanerpes caeruleus

[edit] Identification

4.5in. The male is violet blue and has yellow legs. He has a black mask, throat and there is black on the wings and tail. The bill is black, curved downwards and long. The female's upperparts are green with an orange brown throat and face, and a blue moustache. Her underside is lighter and streaked green-blue; her legs are green or yellow-green.

[edit] Distribution

Five subspecies share a range from Panama to Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia, and east to Brazil, the Guianas, Venezuela, and Trinidad.

Does have some ability to spread, for example seen in Tobago even though it does not breed there.

Photo by Gallus
Female
Photographed: Trinidad and Tobago

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Habitat

Forests, especially in the canopy, but also sometimes in plantations.

[edit] Behaviour

The female builds a small cup shaped nest in a tree, and incubates the clutch of two brown-blotched white eggs.

These birds are found in small groups. It feeds on nectar, berries and insects, mainly in the canopy. It responds readily to the call of the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl.

[edit] External Links