Scarlet-thighed Dacnis
Species Data
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Thraupidae
Scientific Name: Dacnis venusta
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern
Description
Small and striking, this electric-blue bird is found in Costa Rica, Panama, western Colombia, and north-west Ecuador.
The average body length for Scarlet-thighed Dacnis is 12cm, with the bird’s turquoise head, back and shoulder offering a contrast with its black body and red eye. Their scarlet-coloured thighs are usually hidden and not always immediately obvious.
Behaviour
Scarlet-thighed Dacnis are very active small birds, constantly on the move while feeding on fruit, berries and invertebrates.
This species usually stays in the canopy of forest edges, with pairs often following mixed feeding flocks.
Image credit: Jorge Obando Gutierrez is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Habitat
Native to South and Central America, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis are found in Costa Rica, Panama, western Colombia, and north-west Ecuador.
In most of these areas they stay in foothill elevations between 700m and 1,500m, but can also be found in lowlands during the breeding season.
Threats and Conservation
Due to their large range across South and Central America, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis are classed as Least Concern on IUCN’s Red List.
However, the habitats within their range face severe threats from logging, deforestation, hunting and building of roads and infrastructure. Conservation of these habitats is vital to ensure the longevity of this species’ future.
