Scarlet-thighed Dacnis

About the Scarlet-thighed Dacnis

The scarlet-thighed dacnis (Dacnis venusta) is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae, the tanagers and allies. It is found in Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama. The scarlet-thighed dacnis was formally described in 1862 with its current binomial Dacnis venusta. The genus Dacnis is from the Greek for an Egyptian bird whose identity is unknown. The specific epithet venusta is from the Latin venustus meaning lovely.

The scarlet-thighed dacnis has two subspecies, the nominate D. v. venusta (Lawrence, 1862) and D. v. fuliginata (Bangs, 1908). The scarlet-thighed dacnis is 11 to 12 cm (4.3 to 4.7 in) long and weighs 15 to 17 g (0.53 to 0.60 oz). It has a short pointed bill. The species is sexually dimorphic. Adult males of the nominate subspecies have a mostly turquoise-blue head with a triangular black mask from the forehead and lores to just past the eye and extending down the throat. Their back, scapulars, and rump are turquoise-blue. Their longest uppertail coverts are black and the rest turquoise-blue. Their wings and tail are black. Their breast, belly, and undertail coverts are deep greenish black. Their eponymous scarlet... Wikipedia →